An Invitation To Be A Tender Heart
“Heart of Jesus burning with love for us, enflame our Hearts with love for you.”
We pray this every night at Evening Praise, and it struck me the other day how we have been using the words “burning,” “love,” and “enflame” at least 365 times a year for many years in our community. Valentine’s Day will be here soon—a day that speaks so much about LOVE. As FSSH, we could be nicknamed “Franciscan Sisters of LOVE” or “Loving Hearts.” The love of our lives is the Sacred Heart whose heart is truly tender. The quote about having a tender heart speaks of this as the key to feeling the beat of all the other hearts. When you reflect on that, it is awe-inspiring. Love should emit from every fiber of our being to the community, the world, and the cosmos as our Mandatum states. When you think about Jesus’ tender heart on fire with love for us, picture Jesus tenderly holding a lamb in his arms, but replace the lamb with yourself. This is not just love but burning with love. Anything that burns is consumed by the flames. Jesus consumes us with love, and we consume Jesus lovingly in the Eucharist. We are truly blessed as we receive the Eucharist. Our hearts become enflamed with love for God and all of God’s creatures and creation. We invite you all to journey with us, whether as Sister, Associate, volunteer, friend, or neighbor. Together we can be Loving Hearts to a weary world in need of hope.
When Valentine’s Day comes, it is a good time to reflect on God hugging and blessing you with graces to go out tenderly to the community, world, and cosmos. Feel the beat of all other hearts and all that is within them. Hug them with your prayers!