Today we’re celebrating the feast of the Sacred Heart. The readings are full of the rich imagery that fuel the feast. There’s the good shepherd in Ezekiel, echoed in the gospel parable of the lost sheep. Then there’s St Paul’s reflection on the love of God being poured into our hearts from his letter to the Romans, and that’s what I’m reflecting:
“We are filled with joyful trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.”
This joyful trust Paul describes is easy when life is good, when our national and international institutions seem stable and to have our best interests at heart. When our needs are met we can believe God’s love is poured out into our hearts, and trust the promise of reconciliation that Paul speaks of.
It’s not so easy when we are surrounded by uncertainties, wars and fears. In times of uncertainty, suffering and pain we can be drawn into despair and hopelessness. The harshness of daily life and our fear of the future can smother the love, joy and trust that are the heart of the gospel.
Yet, it is when life is at its hardest and most challenging that we need that joyful trust. The harsher our world becomes the more we need the transforming love of God to be poured into our hearts to nurture and sustain us both in our personal struggles and in our interactions with others.
I’m grateful for Paul’s reminder that whatever challenge and uncertainty we face we can trust that God’s love will be with us, sustaining, comforting, healing.
What helps you to keep trusting Christ’s promise in difficult times?