The Sacred Heart

The Hebrew words in the background are:

Lev (Heart)

Esh (Fire)

Etz (Tree)

Kotz (Thorn)

Dam (Blood)

Or (Light)

The Text from the page is:

The Sacred Heart

Contemplating Jesus affords deep understanding of and transformation in God’s Love.

Contemplating the “heart” of Jesus has early roots, and the tradition traces itself back to John 13:23 where John the Beloved’s head rested upon Jesus’ heart at the last supper. Many saints and mystics have contemplated Christ’s heart in its humanity, in its tenderness, and in its Passion, including Augustine, Bernard of Clairvaux, Bonaventure, and Gertrude the Great. In the 1670s Margret Mary Alacoque had several visions of Christ’s heart, from which a more standardized understanding of the devotion was promoted. In this devotion, the heart of Christ is represented with scripture-soaked symbolism, which encourages insight into the mysteries of love.

Heart

The Heart of Christ Jesus, the wellspring of Divine-Human Love.

Oh! What greatest love is found in the heart of Christ it is a love which is fully Divine — transcendent — never-ending — overflowing abundantly! It is the love which bubbled over into the creation of the world. Yet, it is also the heart of Jesus the man — a human heart — a vulnerable heart — a heart of sorrow and longing. Oh Jesus — how could your human heart contain the Love of all the world — how could your infinite love be humbled into submission within a single soul? Ah! This is why your very touch could heal. This is why you walked in power and peace — for your heart is a wellspring of love, welling up to eternal life!

“Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:33-34 nrsv

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:19 nrsv

Flame

The flames of passionate, consuming love!

Love is like a consuming fire! Yes, it melts away all the impurities and leaves only gold. Wonderful and dreadful, the love of Christ will burn us into ashes, from which we are reborn! Oh and this consuming fire spreads! It never ends, but leaps from person to person — a conflagration of of love — contagious to anyone who has the Spirit to fan the flames. These flames are the holy passions of love — loyalty, affection, and drive!

For love is as strong as death,
passion is unrelenting as Sheol.
Its flames burst forth,
it is a blazing flame. Song of Solomon 8:6 net

For indeed our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29 nrsv

Cross

Where love was displayed most fully.

Oh Jesus, your Passion and crucifixion is the crux of history — the point where love was made most manifest! You, filled to the brim with the holiest of loves — you, the Word of God embodied — you willingly suffered and died for the sake of Love. You suffered, not because you had to, but because your heart led you in love to the very end — such great love of your heavenly father, love for your dear friends, love for strangers you could never help in your short life, love for the enemies driving nails through your flesh. You desired for your heart to be poured out in love for the salvation of the entire world!

No one has greater love than this — that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 net

But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 net

Crown of Thorns

Love invites and accepts pain.

Ah! My Jesus went to the very end of suffering for the sake of love! For when we love, we will be humiliated, and will be offered the crown of thorns. Love in this life will inevitably bring pain — but this pain is joyful opportunity to manifest love more excellently! When we accept the crown of suffering, our love is elevated, and God’s love is perfected through us. What an honor it is to be like my King, and suffer for my beloved!

Love suffers long and… bears all things… endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4,7 nkjv

Love one another with a mutual affection;
outdo one another in showing honor…
be patient in affliction…
weep with those who weep…
do not repay anyone evil for evil…
overcome evil with good. Romans 12:10,12,15,21 nrsv

…