Under the title Dilexit nos, Pope Francis’ fourth encyclical invites us to rediscover the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ. This document not only takes up the rich tradition of devotion to the Sacred Heart, but also reminds us of the importance of living our faith with tenderness, joy and missionary fervor. The Heart of Jesus not only impels us to love, but also sends us to serve our brothers and sisters.
A love that is not forgotten
Saint Paul reminds us: “He loved us,” a statement that reveals to us that nothing will separate us from that love (Rom 8:39). Thus begins the encyclical, emphasizing that the Heart of Christ awaits us unconditionally, without requiring prerequisites for loving us. Through Him, we have come to know and believe in the love that God has for us (1 Jn 4:16).
The love of Christ in a world in need
In a context in which various forms of religiosity are proliferating, disconnected from a personal relationship with God, the Pope points out that we often forget “the tenderness of faith, the joy of service and the fervour of the mission”. For this reason, he invites us to delve deeper into the love of Christ that is manifested in his Sacred Heart, a place where we can find the essence of the Gospel and learn to truly love.
Francis highlights that by encountering the love of Christ, we become capable of creating fraternal bonds and recognising the dignity of each person. Before the Heart of Jesus, we ask that He have compassion on our wounded earth and that He give us the light and love necessary to face current challenges, from wars to consumerism and the irresponsible use of technology. This encyclical comes at a significant time, as we celebrate the 350th anniversary of the first revelation of the Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque.
Returning to the heart in times of crisis
Divided into five chapters, the encyclical explores the cult of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and its rich spiritual heritage. In the first chapter, entitled “The importance of the heart,” the Pope urges us to return to the essential in a world that often pushes us toward consumerism. The Bible presents the heart as the core of our being, a place of authenticity where the questions that really matter arise: What meaning do I want to give to my life? Who am I before God?
Francis criticizes the devaluation of the heart in contemporary philosophy, which has privileged reason and will over love. He reminds us that our spiritual identity lies in our heart, which unites us with others and allows us to establish authentic relationships.
The transformation of the world from the heart
In the second chapter, the Pope reflects on Christ’s “gestures and words of love,” which show us his closeness and compassion. Through his encounters with various people, Jesus shows us that his attention is focused on our concerns and sufferings. His love is manifested on the cross, where his sacrifice becomes the most powerful testimony of his love.
A heart that has loved deeply
The third chapter focuses on the “Heart that loved so much,” recalling how the Church has meditated on the mystery of the Heart of Jesus. Here, Francis clarifies that devotion to the Sacred Heart is not limited to the worship of an organ, but involves recognizing in its open heart the divine and human love that unites us. This love is a synthesis of the Gospel, a call to renew our faith in the midst of the multiple spiritual currents that circulate in society.
The devotion that sends us to action
The last chapters of the encyclical highlight the connection between personal spiritual experience and community commitment. In the fourth chapter, “The love that gives us drink,” we are reminded that the Heart of Christ is a fountain of love that quenches our thirst and purifies our impurities. Through the testimonies of the saints, we learn to see the Sacred Heart as a place of personal encounter with the Lord.
Finally, the chapter “To love for love” encourages us to live the missionary dimension of devotion to the Heart of Christ. As we draw closer to the Father, we are sent to love our brothers and sisters, becoming agents of the civilization of love.
Francis’ prayer
The encyclical concludes with a prayer from the Pope: “I ask the Lord Jesus that from his holy Heart may flow for all of us rivers of living water, to heal our wounds and strengthen our capacity to love and serve.” With this invitation, Francis calls us to live a love that transforms the world from the heart.
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