Our work is done with the heart of Christ

by Joseph Nangle, OFM
Pax Christi USA 2023 Teacher of Peace

The human heart is a four-chambered organ that pumps blood throughout the body. It beats about 100,000 times each day. In the last half-century science has discovered an amazing amount of information about the functioning of the heart and developed increasingly sophisticated procedures to keep them working well. Countless lives have been saved and the quality of life enhanced thanks to these miraculous advances.

Another dimension of this remarkable life-sustaining “machine” is as metaphor for all
manner of human emotions. We express our joys, hopes, sorrows, tragedies in language of the heart: heartfelt, heartened, heartbroken, heart sick, bold hearts, courageous hearts, tender hearts, warmhearted open hearts, heartlessness – the list is endless and each trips off our tongues instinctively as we describe our feelings. What is more everyone grasps their meanings; they are part of a universal language.

The metaphor of the heart has been the subject of inspiration expressed often in poetry. For example, the Irish poet John O’Donohue has given the world beautiful reflections, encouragement, insights into hearts’ sentiments: “Let your heart speak because the heart dwells in unattended dark, we often forget its sublime sensitivity to everything that is”; “In out-of-the-way places of the heart, where your thoughts never think to wander…”; “I bless the night that nourished my heart to set the ghosts of longing free…”; “…May I live this day in compassionate of heart.”

Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, the long story of human redemption, we find examples of God’s love and mercy toward the people expressed in heart-language. The prophet Hosea has God saying: “My heart is overwhelmed within me; tender compassion is enkindled in my heart. (Hosea 11:8) And the same language, especially in the psalms, expresses human longing for God: “Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flows the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) Above all heart as metaphor has a central place in the New Testament thanks to Jesus’ constant use of it.

• “Blessed are the pure in heart.” (Matthew 5:8)
• “You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart.” (Mark 12:30)
• “What comes from your heart makes you unclean.” (Mark 7:20)
• “Where your treasure is there will be your heart also.” (Matthew 6:21)
• “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Matt 12:34).

Jesus also encouraged people facing difficulties to be heartened. At the Last Supper just before his capture, torture and crucifixion, he told his follower: “Take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) During a dangerous sea crossing, he said to those in the boat with him: “Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27) To a woman with a chronic hemorrhage: “Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well.” (Matthew 9:22)

The metaphor of the heart in Jesus’ life and teaching reaches a climax in the Crucifixion narrative. “When they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.” (John 19:34) Traditionally this image has been interpreted to mean that from the heart of Jesus poured out the last drop of his blood – a complete offering of Himself.

Jesus’ constant references to the heart and especially the outpouring of his own heart just described, give us food for thought as the Church celebrates the Feast the Sacred Heart of Jesus this week. Although this devotion has receded from ordinary Catholic practice in recent decades, its underlying meaning can serve as inspiration for the concern for the world. Our work is done with the heart of Christ.

In his recent interview with Norah O’Donnell, Pope Francis summed up this central place which the human heart signifies when he pleaded that we not let the heart harden, that those who do will die having missed so much.

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Joe Nangle OFM is a Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace and the 2023 Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace. As a member of the Assisi Community in Washington, D.C., he is dedicated to simple living and social change. Joe also serves as the Pastoral Associate for the Latino community at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington, Virginia.