The Sacred Heart
The Sacred Heart
is a beautiful image of the heart of Jesus and His love poured out for us. First revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, this image reminds us of who Jesus is and who we are as the Church: His beloved Bride!
Notice first that Jesus offers us His whole heart. There is not a part of Himself and His love that He holds back from us. We see this most perfectly when Jesus offers Himself on the cross and in the Eucharist – His very body, blood, soul, and divinity given in love to each of us.
Taking a closer look at the Sacred Heart: the cross, the crown of thorns, and the piercing Roman lance all call to mind Jesus’ crucifixion. This moment in salvation history is not just historical, it’s personal. On the cross Jesus was thinking of you and me with a burning love to “save us by reconciling us with the Father” (CCC 457)
The drops of blood and water flowing from the heart of Jesus under the lance symbolize the Sacraments, specifically the Eucharist by the blood and Baptism by the water. To understand how personal this is we need to go back to Genesis!
After Adam was created, God
“caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the Lord God has taken from the man he made into woman and brought her to the man” (Genesis 2: 21-22).
When Adam awoke, he met his beloved bride: Eve!
Fast forward to the crucifixion and we see Jesus, the new Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), entering into the “deep sleep” of death on the cross where His own side is pierced (John 19:34, Zechariah 12:10). The Bride of Christ - the Church - and her Sacraments flow from Christ’s sacred heart (see CCC 766).
When we receive the Sacraments, we receive God’s love poured out into our hearts (Romans 5:5). Let it not be lost on us how personally and deeply Jesus loves us!
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.
TRANSCEND THE ORDINARY
keep the conversation going about the beauty of the Catholic faith and the Transcend Campaign. Want to see how you can sponsor a facet of the Church? Email Rebecca Almanza, our development director, at ralmanza@stannparish.org. Please continue to pray for the successful completion of these projects and for our church.