The heart of a human being is considered more than a human organ. It represents the place where love lives. Today, the Lord invites us to come to know and love Him through devotion to His heart. Jesus desires us to not only know Him but to abandon ourselves completely to His divine love. As recovery people, we can fully relate to the concept of abandonment. And as today’s solemnity reminds us, Jesus desires that we turn our will and lives over to the care of His Sacred Heart, just as we are called to do for Step 3. It is this willingness to turn our hearts to God that is so important for both our spiritual life and recovery: “There is only one key, and it is called willingness. Once unlocked by willingness, the door opens almost of itself and looking through it, we shall see a pathway beside which is an inscription. It reads ‘this is the way to a faith that works’” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions).

If we can do nothing else on this Feast Day of the Sacred Heart, we can pray for the willingness to earnestly try to come to “a decision to turn our wills and lives over to the care of God.” If our intentions are pure, Jesus will enter our hearts, for He waits longingly to be let in. As Pope Saint John II said, “Jesus gently knocks at our door and awaits our response, reassuring us not to be afraid but rather to trust always in Him. Only in opening our hearts to Him may we plunge into the depths of the flows of love and mercy that emanate from Jesus’ Sacred Heart.”

Jesus, we trust in you!

Reflection Questions

• Reflect on Jesus’ blessings and guidance in your life. After reflecting on these, how can you more completely abandon yourself to Jesus’ Sacred Heart today?
• Many saints ask God in prayer that their hearts be replaced with the heart of Jesus. How has your heart become more like Jesus’ heart since working Step 3?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6.
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19
Gospel: John 19:31-37

Reflection by Chiara F.