Of all the images that are meaningful in multiple cultures, I suspect that the heart (đź’•) is most easily understood. I often use the image that you see here because, for me, it not only suggests love in all its meanings but also indicates a relationship—two hearts in tandem. Today I’m reflecting that the larger heart sits below the smaller one. That could have any of several meanings…what do you think? (Stop here to reflect.)
Today is the celebration in my Church of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. That means it’s a BIG feast, an important day! I’m happy for that designation for several reasons (as you have already uncovered if you answered my question at the end of the first paragraph). When I was in elementary school, one of the short prayers that we learned as a leader/response was: “(L) Sacred Heart of Jesus, (R) I place all my trust in Thee.” It was a reminder before an examination, a hope for success in any attempt—scholarly, sports contest, oral test…anything, and to the degree that we believed in the power of God to hear us, we trusted the eventual outcome. The overarching trust factor was, of course, our certainty that God loved us—and all His children—more than we could ask or imagine. Not a bad way to grow up.
Today I am aware of God as love in a visceral way. There’s a lovely breeze ruffling the tree outside my window in the back yard, a soft kiss, one might say. Out there also, through my open window, I am hearing a consistent—VERY LOUD—bird call. We have been trying for two days to recognize the bird who is speaking but have yet to identify it. So he ( I think it must be a male) continues his quest for attention—like God does with us so often, never tiring of the effort for our notice.Â
God is everywhere,  we learned as children, and if we have nurtured this belief and stay still and quiet, we can sometimes hear and maybe even feel the heart of God beating in us and for us. It is the echo of our own loving heart, beating in tandem with our God.
How fitting for those gathered in this tiny town in Maine that we should be celebrating today the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. As we endeavor to move in prayer and practice from a stance of oneness, we are frequently reminded to “put the mind in the heart” and act from there. No judgment, no self-identification, just the love that flows out of a consciousness that we are all one. While not an easy goal, it is the simplest of practices –Â just breathing into the sense that the heart is central to our living and its steady beating is our lifeline to love.
Today is The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a designation that makes me, as a “cradle Catholic,” sit up and take notice. It’s the words Solemnity and Most that call attention to the holiness of Jesus as the model for life. In this way, my focus shifts from the beating and bleeding heart in the images of Jesus on the walls of many Catholic homes to a deeper consciousness that does not negate the truth of that devotion but expands and personalizes it in a new way. Lest the reader assume that I have left tradition behind, it seems important to mention that I have an image of the Sacred Heart in my prayer space at home. It is the totality of the symbols – the face of Jesus, the heart and fire illuminating it – and yes, drops of blood as a sign of his life’s sacrifice – that guides my prayer toward love each day.
Somewhat distractedly, I began to skim the lectionary readings for today. First it was Ezechiel talking about God tending sheep – which always conjures up in me a vague envy for the life of a sheep herder or a dairy farmer (a more realistic choice for our day and location). It’s unrealistic, I know, but there’s something about seeing the animals in the simplicity of their lives – just grazing and having a routine with someone to care for them who moves through the days in relative quiet…Idyllic, no? Well, although I know the reality to be more difficult than that description, there is a warm feeling that arises when I read EZ 34: 11-16 as I did this morning. Then came the 23rd psalm and by the time I got to a second reading before the gospel I realized today must be a special feast in the Church. And so it is. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, simply described, as Paul does, in the letter to the Romans (5:5) by the declaration: “Brothers and sisters, the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” The gospel completes the metaphoric shepherd references with the wonderful question of Jesus: “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine and go after the lost one until he finds it?”
The Sophia Center for Spirituality 