Article by Sack. F. published in the Alphonsian Academy Blog
The heart is the core of the human being. It is more than an organ, it is a place of unity, sincerity, and personal life. In a frenetic and consumerist world, Pope Francis invites us to “return to the heart,” to rediscover its centrality not only in a physical sense, but also in a spiritual and emotional sense. An exemplary and inspiring model for a correct vision of the human heart is the Heart of Jesus Christ in which resides the strength of human and divine love and is the object of reflection in the encyclical letter Dilexit Nos by Pope Francis (cf. nn. 2-15).
Through the analysis of literary figures (cf. n. 12), the encyclical illustrates how the strength of the heart allows a deeper knowledge of reality, inevitably leading to love presented as the “most intimate factor of reality,” capable of giving meaning to life. Pope Francis highlights how the theology of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola is based on the “affectus,” a fundamental will that arises from the heart that loves, adores, asks for forgiveness and offers to serve, recognizing itself as the “you” of God (cf. nn. 24.144).
The encyclical then focuses on Christ’s gestures and words of love, emphasizing his constant search for encounter with others. The gaze of Jesus, described in various Gospel episodes, reflects his attention and compassion for each person. The symbolism of the heart, often represented with flames of fire, is also interesting. While recognizing the value of this image, Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of contextualizing the heart in the complete image of Christ, with his gaze, his hands and his mouth, thus recalling a personal relationship (nn. 32-47).
A crucial aspect of the text concerns the Trinitarian dimension of love. The Heart of Christ orients us towards the Father, the source of life and origin of grace. The relationship between the Son and the Father, described in the Gospels, becomes a model for our spiritual life. The action of the Holy Spirit nourishes in our hearts the love for the Father, guiding us towards Him (nn. 70-77).
The history of devotion to the Sacred Heart records contributions from saints such as St. John Eudes, St. Francis de Sales, and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Their testimony is an invitation to rediscover the beauty of asking for forgiveness, a noble gesture that allows relationships to be healed and peace to be re-established in the heart (nn. 109-128).
Love for love, as a response to the love of God, is expressed in love for our brothers and sisters, especially the poorest and most abandoned. Figures such as Saint Charles de Foucauld exemplify the missionary dimension of love for the Heart of Christ, inviting us to spread his love throughout the world. The encounter with Christ cannot remain a private event but must translate into community service and a joyful testimony of his presence (Cf. n. 129).
Analyzing the effects of devotion to the Sacred Heart that have been recorded throughout history, Pope Francis admits that on the one hand, this devotion has borne fruits of profound spirituality and social commitment; on the other hand, some interpretations and practices associated with it have risked distancing themselves from the authentic spirit of the Gospel. Some forms of devotion to the Sacred Heart have focused excessively on the painful aspects of Christ’s Passion, with an emphasis that is sometimes morbid on blood, wounds, and physical suffering. This approach risks obscuring the joy of the Resurrection and the Gospel’s message of hope. Pope Francis invites us not to forget that the Heart of Christ, while preserving the memory of his wounds, is a risen heart, full of glory, life, and light (cf. n.172).
There have also been some interpretations of the “reparation” due to the Heart of Christ that have taken on an excessively moralistic and sacrificial character. The idea has spread that reparation consists mainly in the offering of sacrifices and penances to atone for one’s own and others’ sins, almost as if to fill a presumed insufficiency of the one sacrifice of Christ. This vision risks fueling an oppressive sense of guilt and diminishing the gratuitous mercy of God. Pope Francis, taking up the teaching of Saint John Paul II, invites us to interpret reparation in a more evangelical way, as a commitment to building a civilization of love and as care for wounded hearts. Devotion to the Sacred Heart, if not well understood, can slip into superficial sentimentalism, emptied of its profound meaning. It can also fuel an individualistic spirituality, focused on one’s personal relationship with Jesus to the detriment of commitment to the common good. Pope Francis calls attention to the community and social dimension of devotion to the Sacred Heart, inviting believers to translate the love of Christ into concrete actions in favor of their brothers, especially the poorest and most needy (cf. nos. 121-204).
The encyclical Dilexit Nos invites us to rediscover the richness and relevance of devotion to the Sacred Heart, purifying it from any possible deviations and interpreting it in the light of the Gospel. True devotion to the Heart of Christ is not limited to external practices or superficial sentimentality, but translates into a profound renewal of the heart, into a concrete love for our brothers and sisters and into a commitment to building a more just and fraternal world.
