Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
True to my Celtic roots (although not 100% Irish, I have Irish ancestors on both sides), some years ago I was drawn to read J. Philip Newell’s book, Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality. One of the things I remember about the book is the reference to the image of the beloved disciple John leaning against Jesus at the Last Supper. Newell explains that in contemplative Celtic spirituality this is the image for the practice of “listening for the heartbeat of God.”
I love that image, the idea of John leaning against Jesus’ chest and hearing his heartbeat. Could we imagine doing the same? With the Church celebrating the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus today, this image came to me once again.
It’s an intimate image of closeness, listening to another’s heartbeat, usually reserved for a parent and child or two lovers. Can we imagine being that close to God? To Jesus’ heart, his holy, merciful and loving heart?
Today’s Scripture readings point to God’s intimate love. The first reading from the book of Deuteronomy tells of the Israelites being chosen by God: “the Lord set his heart on you and chose you...It was because the Lord loved you….”
The second reading (from the First letter of John) tells us that God is love and it is “not that we have loved God, but that he loved us….” God has acted first in loving us.
The gospel passage (Matthew 11:25-30) is also based on God’s love and teaches us of the rest we can find in Jesus who is “meek and humble of heart.” We are invited, “take my yoke upon you and learn from me...and you will find rest for yourselves.”
It seems that God, specifically through Jesus, is offering us God’s heart. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God has been offering God’s love and seeking our love in return. Perhaps this celebration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is another opportunity for us to accept Jesus’ invitation for greater intimacy with and through Him. Might we, like John, lean in and listen for the heartbeat of God?
—Eileen Miller