Lent has begun: our journey with Christ in suffering, death and resurrection. This old weathered statue looks over a corner of Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis and reminds us of the gift of his heart. It shows Christ with arms outstretched, fingers broken and heart exposed to the world.
This is no Mona Lisa expression of mystery. It is an unmistakable invitation to put on the mind of Christ, to let his be the prayer of our very own heart: open, given to the world. We are called to extend our hands and heart space, in total giving. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart.”
Richard Rohr says we can. “Love lives and thrives in the heart space…it is almost impossible to comment, judge, create story lines, or remain antagonistic. You are in a place that…is the natural organ of life, embodiment and love. Now the Sacred Heart has been transferred to you.”* We are invited to a whole-hearted transformation, to be open to everyone.
How do we do this? How do we put on the mind of Christ, and imitate Jesus upon whom we gaze in his extreme moment of giving? Easily. God is the very life of our heart already. Here. Now. Is that not what divine in-dwelling really means? Heart of my heart. The familiar gaze invites us to God’s own heart space. It is in fact our very own.
* Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, Dialy Email Meditations from January 15 - January 20, 2017
Reflection and photo by Julie Siderfin, Associate of the Society of the Sacred Heart
