| The Spirituality of the Heart Is a Lifelong Journey |
| ,At our Living Jesus Chat Room this Sunday we will continue talking about the newest encyclical released by Pope Francis, entitled Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us), On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ.This time let’s review a reflection from Fr. Dhyna Ashram, shared below both in video format and in the video transcript. Read or watch and take time to reflect.To prepare for our chat, please read the article, which is reproduced below, and review the questions at the end. video https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=lv-C80tTvd0rN9P0&v=MsuWhztKBYE&feature=youtu.be Click for Living Jesus Chatroom We are diving into a profound journey, one that connects us to the depths of Christian love. We will be exploring the spirituality of the heart through the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and Pope Francis’s new encyclical Dilexit Nos. This spirituality speaks to the heart as the center of love, compassion, and transformation—a message that’s as powerful today as it was in the time of St. Francis de Sales.Who was St. Francis de Sales? St. Francis de Sales, a doctor of the church known as the gentle doctor or the gentleman saint, left us an incredible legacy. His teachings on the heart as the source of true spirituality and his writings have inspired Christians for centuries, emphasizing love that is rooted in humility and openness to the spirituality of the heart of God. The spirituality of the heart What does it mean? Let’s start with what spirituality of the heart truly means. For St. Francis de Sales, the heart is more than just emotions; it’s the seat of love where we encounter God in a deeply personal way. He believed that God is at both the beginning and end of every human life. We are, as he says, created from love, for love, and to return to love. In his own words, “All is for love, in love, to love, and of love in the holy church.”Pope Francis’s encyclical Dilexit Nos and the Sacred Heart of Jesus—now let’s bring in Pope Francis’s recent encyclical Dilexit Nos, which celebrates the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In this encyclical letter, Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus’s heart is the ultimate symbol of divine love. It represents God’s boundless mercy, a love that reaches out to each of us in a deeply personal way. Dilexit Nos encourages us to think of love not as a mere feeling but as a way of life, a daily choice. Living the love as an action spirituality of the heart One of the most beautiful aspects of both St. Francis de Sales’s teachings and Dilexit Nos is the call to put love into action. St. Francis de Sales once said, “Great works are not always possible, but we can do small things with great love.” Pope Francis echoes this message, challenging us to reflect Christ’s love in every small act, whether it is kindness, compassion, or forgiveness. The heart as a place of reconciliation Pope Francis also presents the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a place of reconciliation. Jesus’s heart is always open, ready to forgive, inviting us to find peace. St. Francis de Sales saw this as well, writing, “There is nothing so gentle as true strength and nothing so strong as true gentleness.” Both call us to begin with open hearts, extending gentleness and forgiveness in a divided world. Finding strength in the heart Today’s world can often feel overwhelming, right? Pope Francis addresses this, reminding us that we can always return to our spiritual core, the heart, where we find strength and resilience through faith. St. Francis shared this perspective, advising us not to fear the changes in life. He said, “Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope that God will lead you through all things.” When our hearts are rooted in God’s love, we can face any trial with great courage. The heart and Christian mission Sharing love with the world. Another key message in Dilexit Nos is the role of the heart in our Christian mission. This spirituality is not just about personal devotion; it’s a call to action. Pope Francis urges us to go out into the world and share Christ’s love. St. Francis de Sales taught this too, saying that when we are filled with love, we are naturally drawn to share it with others. Our mission begins in the heart but radiates outward, transforming the world through acts of love and service. Transforming our hearts The core spirituality of the heart is about transformation. For both St. Francis de Sales and Pope Francis, love is the foundation of faith. St. Francis de Sales once said, “Blessed is the heart that loves God with no other pleasure than that of pleasing God.” This is a love that seeks nothing in return, a pure love that mirrors God’s self-giving. Conclusion How can we respond to this spirituality? By opening our hearts to God’s love, reflecting it in our lives, and seeing every relationship as an opportunity to show love. Dilexit Nos challenges us to let the Sacred Heart of Jesus guide us to live with forgiveness, humility, and courage. Let’s follow in the footsteps of St. Francis de Sales, whose whole life was an example of this pure devotion to God.As we close, remember that the spirituality of the heart is a lifelong journey. It’s about allowing God’s love to transform us so that we can, in turn, bring his love to the world. May each of us try to live out this calling, letting our hearts be vessels of love, peace, and joy. Thank you for joining me in exploring this beautiful spirituality. May the Sacred Heart guide you on your journey, and as St. Francis de Sales would say, “Love Jesus.” Reflections: What does it mean that the heart is the “seat of love”?Why is it important to think of love as a way of life (actions and choices) instead of a feeling?How can we show love by our actions?How can we make sure our hearts are rooted in God’s love?Why is it important to emphasize that love and devotion need to radiate beyond ourselves through mission, evangelization, and works of mercy?Why do you think this encyclical was released at this time in history? Why an encyclical, and not an apostolic letter? Sign up for our Living Jesus Chat Room:Come to our Living Jesus Chat Room, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM Eastern Time U.S. |