Falling in love with the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Do you want to know what true love looks like? Here it is. “Behold this heart that has so loved men.” That’s what Jesus said of this picture of His Sacred Heart. I bet you’ve seen this picture before … right? Or maybe you haven’t and that’s fine too. Either way, it’s worth learning about. This picture is loaded with meaning and I think you’ll love it as much as I do after I tell you about it.

A long time ago there was this movement called Jansenism. They said over and over how sinful and incredibly unworthy man is. People started feeling bad about themselves and weren’t receiving Holy Communion. They also said that Christ didn’t die on the cross for all people. Nope. Just some.

But that wasn’t true! And God was not ok with us thinking that. So He did something amazing (like usual) and appeared to a nun named St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. He asked her to have this picture painted.

Jesus wanted to show us that His heart is constantly, forever, always, eternally loving and forgiving us. He loves you. He loves me. He loves every person so intensely that His heart burns with that love. Look into His eyes and you can’t see anything else.

In the picture you can also see the crown of thorns from His Crucifixion. Even after His death the crown is still there to remind us that Jesus knows what it means to suffer. He knows what pain and sadness are. It reminds us of what Jesus went through to prove His love and open the gates of Heaven for us so we can be with Him.

You know when you love someone and you “give them your heart?” That’s exactly what this picture is about. It’s Jesus showing you and I how His heart is ours because He loves us with all of it.

June 11th is the feast of the Sacred Heart. Jesus asked Sr. Margaret Mary that people receive Communion frequently and on the first Friday of every month go to Mass and pray to make up for those who aren’t grateful to Jesus.

When you understand this picture the only way to respond is to love Him back. His heart breaks when people don’t appreciate what He’s done for them out of love. You and I can make up for that. Go bring joy to Christ’s heart.