S15 E7 - The Sacred Heart - Dilexit Nos (Part 1)
Abiding Together
Understanding the Heart: Center of Human Existence and Spirituality
This chapter examines the heart as a fundamental element of human identity and spirituality, emphasizing its role as the center of desire and decision-making. It encourages listeners to explore their inner selves, unveiling the deeper truths that define their existence.
In this week's episode, we begin a three part series on Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Dilexit Nos (on the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ). We discuss how God, as the Divine initiator, loved us first and continuously calls us deeper into His most Sacred Heart. We also reflect on the meaning of our hearts, being captivated by Jesus’ love, and the beauty of allowing Him to set our hearts aflame.
Heather’s One Thing - Man and Woman and the Order of Creation Conference at Franciscan University (view the livestream here)
Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Tomato Basil Soup
Michelle’s One Thing - The book Sons in the Son by Fr. Innocent Montgomery, CFR, and Fr. Angelus Montgomery, CFR ( Sign up here to get the consecration reflections)
Other Resources Mentioned:
Journal Questions:
- Who am I, really? What am I looking for?
- What direction do I want to give to my life? Why and for what purpose am I in the world?
- How do I want to look back on my life once it ends? What meaning do I want to give to all my experiences?
- Who do I want to be for others?
- Who am I for God?
Discussion Questions:
- How do you belittle or dismiss the movements of your own heart?
- When do you feel distanced from your heart in this season?
- How can you minimize the distance you have from your heart this week?
- How do you self-protect instead of making a self-gift?
- What direction do you want to give to your life? Why and for what purpose are you in the world?
Quotes to Ponder:
“The heart is also the locus of sincerity, where deceit and disguise have no place. It usually indicates our true intentions, what we really think, believe and desire, the “secrets” that we tell no one: in a word, the naked truth about ourselves. It is the part of us that is neither appearance or illusion, but is instead authentic, real, entirely “who we are”.” (Pope Francis, “Dilexit Nos”, Paragraph 5)
Scripture for Lectio:
“He loved us first.” (1 John 4:19)
Sponsor - Reform Wellness:
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Reform Wellness
01:39 - Intro
02:31 - Announcement and Welcome
05:04 - About the Encyclical
06:53 - The Importance of the Heart
11:16 - The Heart as the Locus of Sincerity
14:54 - Our Heart is Meant for Love
18:46 - Being Captivated by Jesus’ Love
24:20 - The Sacred Heart Aflame with Love
25:51 - One Things
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