The Church Contemplates God's Heart
Under the veils of the Sacrament...let them pour out to that Merciful Heart that has known all the griefs of the human heart, the fullness of their sorrow, the steadfastness of their faith, the trust of their hope, the ardor of their charity… -Caritatae Christi Compulsi, 31
Reflect
My personality type lends toward often feeling misunderstood. I can’t even tell you the number of times I’ve said in frustration or sadness, “You just don’t understand!” Sometimes, I feel like the only person on Planet Earth who feels the way I feel.
And then I’m reminded of the One who has felt every emotion and feeling. The One who intimately knows every pain we could ever experience, as well as every joy.
He understands the grief of losing a parent, grandparent, sibling, or best friend.
He understands the unimaginable pain of losing a child, or never getting to hold a baby in your arms.
He understands the feeling of betrayal by a good friend, the bitterness of a missed job opportunity, the devastation of a broken marriage.
He understands the weight of financial insecurity, the dread of mounting bills, the panic of having no plan.
He can take it.
And He knows the joy of a wedding day, meeting your baby for the first time, health restored to an ill friend.
He knows the bliss of a honeymoon, a relationship restored, tests coming back clear.
He knows the delight of watching your child take their first steps, experience the ocean for the first time, or score their first soccer goal.
He knows the beauty of a life filled with love.
Every sorrow and every song of praise has a home in His Heart.
There is room for every grief and every gladness.
So let us bring it all, sisters. The tidy and the not-so-tidy. The heavy and the light. The soaring victories and crushing defeats. Let us lay it all on the altar, where He has made a way once and for all.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, we offer our whole selves to You—every emotion and feeling, all our worries and cares, as well as all our joys. Comfort us in our sorrow, multiply our gladness. Jesus, we trust in You. Amen.
For Discussion
When have you experienced Jesus’ ability to carry the weight of any emotion?
What feeling or emotion are you handing Him today (happiness, fear, regret, anticipation, etc.)?
In His Heart: The 2020 Prayer Pledge // Day 22 #BISblog #prayerpledge //Click to tweet
Valerie Keinsley is a wife and mama living in central Indiana. She loves WWII novels, decaf chai lattes, and trying to keep houseplants alive. She is striving to find and name beauty in the midst of the mundane, and loves to share her “good lists” on Instagram. You can find out more about her here. Read all of Valerie's posts here.
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