In previous videos, I have briefly commented on the first three chapters of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Evangelii Gaudium, where different aspects of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus are explored. In this article, we address the fourth chapter, entitled “The Love that Gives Drink,” which reflects on the deep spirituality found in this devotion, focusing on the pierced heart of Christ.
The Image of the Pierced Heart
The devotion to the Sacred Heart has its roots in the scene of the cross, when the soldier Longinus pierces Jesus’ side with a lance. From that side flows blood and water, a powerful image that symbolizes two fundamental aspects of the Christian faith. First, the water that flows from the side represents baptism and the grace of God that quenches our spiritual thirst. Second, the open heart of Christ is the home where we can find comfort, love, and the living presence of God.
The Prophecy of Zechariah and its Fulfillment in Christ
Pope Francis highlights that Old Testament prophecies, such as that of Zechariah, anticipate the outpouring of water as a symbol of purification and grace. Zechariah predicts that an open fountain would flow forth from the house of David to wash away sin and impurity, a vision that is fulfilled in the Gospel with the death of Jesus. In the Gospel of St. John, it is recounted that after Jesus’ side was pierced, blood and water flowed forth, a fulfillment of this ancient prophecy. Jesus himself invites those who are thirsty to come to Him, promising that springs of living water will flow from His bosom.
Three Properties of Water: Cleansing, Satisfying, and Living
Water, in Christian spirituality, symbolizes three fundamental aspects of divine grace. First, it cleanses, eliminating original and personal sin, purifying the soul. Second, it quenches thirst, representing the desire for infinite love that only God can fill. And third, it gives life, just as water nourishes plants, God’s grace gives life to our faith and our relationship with Him.
The Open Heart as a Home of Encounter
In addition to being a source of living water, Christ’s side also symbolizes a home where we can personally encounter Him. Pope Francis, like other great saints of the Church, emphasizes that in that open heart we can find a deep and constant love, like that of a mother for her child. Although a mother might forget her child, God will never forget us, He carries us tattooed on the palm of His hands.
Saints and Devotion to the Sacred Heart
Throughout the centuries, devotion to the Sacred Heart has been cultivated by numerous saints, from St. Francis de Sales and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to St. Teresa of Calcutta and St. John Paul II. Each of these saints has transmitted, in his or her own way, the unique and personal love that Christ has for each of us.
Three Stages of the Spirituality of the Sacred Heart
Pope Francis proposes a reflection on the spirituality of the Sacred Heart through three stages, which coincide with the three theological virtues: faith, hope and charity. These stages are love at first sight, trust and union.
Love at first sight: Devotion to the Sacred Heart begins with the contemplation of Christ’s love. Some saints, such as St. Margaret Mary, have had extraordinary experiences of this love, but we are all called to discover it in our daily lives through contemplation.
Trust: Christ’s love is an invitation to trust fully in Him. As St. Francis de Sales wrote, each of us can look into the Sacred Heart and see his or her name inscribed with the characters of love.
Union: Finally, this devotion invites us to live a personal relationship with Christ, to unite ourselves to Him in a profound and transforming love, like a dove that nests in its refuge.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart is an invitation to enter a home of love, purification and life. Over the centuries, the spirituality of the Sacred Heart has grown and matured, becoming a powerful force for charity and educational action. Today, this devotion continues to be a solid and healthy path for those seeking a personal encounter with Christ, the love that gives drink, that satisfies and gives life.
Chapter 1: Dilexit Nos. The Heart
Chapter 2: Gestures and Words of Love
