A Heart Like Unto Ours

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  I could not quite grasp this feast as a child.  But when I had children, I got a bit more of a hold on it.  It was rather an "out of the mouth of babes" type moment.  

We lived, at one time, right up the street from our Parish Church.  We would pass it several times on our way to and from our house on the way to someplace else.   One time when we were in the Church after Mass, little Thomas asked where Jesus lived.  So, I pointed to the golden tabernacle behind the altar and said, "He lives there, behind that little golden door."  And Thomas pointed out quite frankly,  "Well, He must be very small to fit in there."  And there it was.  The key to the mystery for me.  

Jesus becoming very small to "fit" amongst us.  So, I explained to Thomas that Jesus decided that He couldn't be that far away from us after he resurrected from the dead, because he loved us so much and thought we might miss Him.  So he found a way to be right there, up the street, so we could come see him at any time.  He made Himself small so people would not be afraid to come. And He wouldn't leave there just in case someone stopped by.   I also said that we should say hello to Him when we could because sometimes he went all day behind the golden door in an empty Church, and people would tend to forget He was there.  But He waits all the time.  After that, whenever we drove by the Church, thoughtful Thomas would lead the chorus of little kid voices in the back of the van in a rousing, "HI JESUS".  

So, when we feel small, perhaps insignificant, when we feel lonely, overlooked, heart broken, invisible to others, forgotten perhaps....all things humans feel intensely at times.........there is one who knows our suffering.  He lives behind a little golden door in a dark Church, His Sacred heart beating with anticipation and welcome as if He were saying, "Maybe they will come today.  I won't leave just in case they come."  

This is the glory of the Sacred Heart.  It is a human heart like ours in "all things but sin".

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.