Heart to heart

June 27 Feast of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - :

Deuteronomy 7:6-11; Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10; 1John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30

instead of: Friday of Week 12 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

2Kings 25:1-12; Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6; Matthew 8:1-4

A thought for those who want to reveal the risen Jesus in their lifestyle.

“We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.” 1John 4:16

We can serve God out of fear or love. Those who don’t serve him at all neither fear God nor love him. Scripture calls them “fools” (Psalm 14:1; Romans 1:22).

“Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). This is not “being scared of God.” Subtract the emotion of “fright” from “fear” and you get perspective—a sense of proportion that recognizes the distance between God’s Being, Goodness and Truth, and that of all creatures, including ourselves. “Wisdom” is the habit of seeing everything in perspective; in the light of God as the “ultimate end” and purpose of everything we do.

“Fear of the Lord” became distorted in the Church. Religion was taught as laws backed up by punishment. Catholics had more fear of Hell than love for God. So Jesus called the world through Saint Margaret Mary (1694) to focus on his heart; to see everything in the light of his love, revealed in his humanity. “Devotion to the Sacred Heart” spread through the Church and gave us a new perspective. If we embrace it, every interaction between ourselves and God is heart to heart.

To understand better, Google ”Heart of the Matter” in America Magazine (November 10, 2008).

PRAY: “Lord, show me your heart.”

PRACTICE: Whenever you feel anxious or distant from God, picture Jesus showing his heart. Respond with yours.