The joyful Heart of Jesus

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don't hesitate. Give in to it... It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins... whatever it is, don't be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb. ~ Mary Oliver

A few weeks ago two women rang my doorbell. They began by complimenting me on my lovely front garden (thank you), then proceeded to the main question... Did I struggle to reconcile such loveliness with anxiety around the awful, precarious state of the world? I replied by saying, emphatically, that I had no desire to become a Jehovah's Witness. And with that, one of the women told me I had a lovely smile (thank you!), and they departed. 

But something of the question remained: not 'do I struggle?' but 'how can it be that I somehow don't?' How can my heart break and soar in equal measure; hold pain and anger at the anguish and wounds of our increasingly dark and warlike world, alongside joy and delight, playfulness and fun? How can I despair at this world, whilst also retaining hope? How can I even, counter-intuitively, write about joy, in our gathering gloom? I only know that the answer to these questions lies within a mystery I cannot even begin to fathom.

This month I have been leading a faith-sharing group in my parish. Together, we've been reflecting on the Sacred Heart, using Dilexit nos, plus a large helping of my RSCJ-ness. Last weekend, as we looked at the Heart of Jesus through the Gospel readings used for the Feast, our conversation focused especially on the open, pierced Heart. The pain of our world, the wars and wounds we see and don't see, mingled with the act of gratuitous cruelty which unwittingly opened the way into Jesus' Heart, and to the unending wellspring of Love, and our salvation. Hatred mingled with the Love it had broken open, and with our redemption and Love's victory, with mystery and with faith, in a profound sharing, which was as 'real' as it was rich.

At the end of each session we draw slips of paper with a gift for the coming week. Scripture quotes the first week, about God's Heart and ours; and last weekend, attributes or virtues of the Sacred Heart. The tender Heart of Jesus... the merciful... passionate... gentle... open... welcoming... all-embracing... Heart... I had prepared enough for each of us to draw two, with a few left over, so members of the group could give them to anyone they're keeping in their own hearts. The Spirit hovered gently over our drawing, ensuring we each received the gifts we, and those in our hearts, needed.

And me? The first one I drew was The peaceful Heart of Jesus: so essential for our world's instability and aggression; but also for me, and for each one of us who desire to create peace, in a world increasingly at war. And the second one was The Joyful Heart of Jesus: the Heart which delights in each one of us, and rejoices to love us; and the Heart which tells us, in the midst of all our fears at the world's madness... If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don't hesitate. Give in to it... Don't be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb. And you will very likely notice joy in the instant when love begins, which is how you too can be joy for others...

Last Sunday I had no idea who exactly I'd want to share my Hearts with - but now I feel impelled to share them with you, wherever and however you might be. And may the peaceful Heart of Jesus prevail, and have mercy on us all... and his joyful Heart be the source of all our consolation, and our felicity.