How can we even begin to expound on the Sacred Heart of Jesus? Freely broken, freely given. The task seems overwhelming. And why? Because it pertains to the desperate love of the Divine Maker for his creatures. Throughout history, there has never been a time when God did not condescend to humanity, with hopes that humanity might be drawn to Him. This Divine Condescension started from the beginning in creation, especially of man, when He breathed on Adam, and walked with both him and his wife in the garden. After the fall, God promises his abiding love in Genesis 3:15, foreshadowing a future Messiah, and a plan of salvation. God continues to seek man throughout the generations, inviting Father Abraham to deeper worship. From his lineage comes the twelve tribes of Jacob, and finally the line of Judah where the Sacred Heart of Jesus was born from a Virgin, and dwelt among us.

It is fitting to ask, what kind of Heart is this?

- I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)

- For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17)

- At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)

- Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew11:28)

- Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. (Matthew 11:29)

And these are but a few Scripture passages that illustrate the unconditional love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for his friends.

But the Sacred Heart of Jesus doesn’t end there. It doesn’t disappear after the Crucifixion. It doesn’t disappear after the Ascension. Where is His Sacred Heart?

In the Tabernacle.

Isn’t it interesting that in all the Eucharistic miracles in the world, there are common characteristics of the hosts? Each consecrated host becomes a human flesh, and not just any flesh, but in particular, the cardiac muscle tissue, which is significant forpumping blood throughout the body. Additionally, the blood type associated with this flesh is AB. People with AB blood types are universal plasma donors, with transfusions given to “trauma, burn and shock patients”, even for cancer treatments.

Jesus’ Heart pumps Life into us, and heals us in our traumas, and treats our cancer of sin.

This Solemnity, let us not be afraid to draw near to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who stoops down to us from Highest Heavens just so that we can draw near to Him. Let us come to Him, heart to Heart.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved, and preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Amen

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-By Sr. Charbel Joseph, OP

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