Last July, in the aftermath of the upheaval that followed the killing of George Floyd, a large tent was erected in Minneapolis, in a parking lot along our northside business corridor. For 30 days people from all backgrounds gathered under this prayer tent for silent prayer for the healing of our city. As I come to this year’s celebration of the Feast of Christ’s Sacred Heart, I can imagine his Heart somewhat like that tent, a gathering place where there is room for all to bring their traditions, their expressions of devotion, and their desire to grow in Christ’s way of loving.
I grew up entering this “tent” with the familiar images of the Sacred Heart from my youth, and the prayers and devotions that included First Friday Mass and the Promises of St. Margaret Mary. I was encouraged to “return love for Love”. Not really knowing how to do this, I was given hints: express love and care for those around me in little ways, trusting that Jesus’ love was near; and pray that all may know God’s forgiving love in their lives.
Later when I began to study Salesian spirituality as a Visitation novice, I discovered that for St. Francis de Sales, the passage “Learn from Me for I am gentle and humble of heart” is one of the foundational Scriptures for the Visitation. St. Jane de Chantal urged the Sisters to pray by resting their hearts on the breast of Christ… “remise en Dieu.” This is such a tender and loving image, and one that speaks of interiority and wholehearted trust.
Interiority, characterized by the virtues of humility, gentleness, interior renunciation, a community of charity, simplicity, liberty of spirit and joy, is key to living Salesian spirituality. Wholehearted trust is just that: a full-throttled confidence in Jesus’ way of love, and God’s providential guidance for our lives.
Stepping into the “tent”, the all encompassing Heart of Jesus where love and compassion, mercy and charity reside, and resting there will bring strength and healing to those who enter the spaciousness of Christ’s reconciling love.
Several years ago when one of our Sisters was having a brain tumor removed, she experienced herself in the recovery room as being in a hammock in the Heart of Christ where she could relax in his love. Whether we are in hammocks or tents or any other way of resting in the Heart of Christ, we can still rely on his words, “Come to Me and I will refresh you.” Let us meet each other this feast in such reassurance.
Sister Karen Mohan, VHM
Visitation Monastery of Minneapolis
