Daily Reflection
June 3rd, 2005
by

Howie Kalb, S.J.

Jesuit Community
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The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Deuteronomy 7:6-11
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 10
1 John 4:7-16
Matthew 11:25-30

In the Jesuit Gardens at Creighton University stands a greater than life-size statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It has been there for over 85 years. On the base one can read the following inscription:

THANK OFFERING
OF THE STUDENTS
FOR PROTECTION
IN THE
WORLD-WIDE PLAGUE
OF THE WAR YEAR
1918

Few of us were alive then and none of us can imagine the fear and suffering that flu epidemic caused as it took many lives locally and thousands of lives throughout the country. The young college students had recourse to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for protection. Although many contracted the flu, not one died of the disease. The statue was their way of showing gratitude.

Today the statue is a wonderful reminder of Jesus’ words, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Thanks to the miracles of modern medicine, it may not be the threat of death, but maybe just the struggles and heartaches of every day life.

Jesus still holds out his heart to us as the symbol of his unconditional love. There is neither problem, hardship nor suffering that he is unaware of and hasn’t already determined his answer, solution or healing for our well-being. He prays thanking his Father: “for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.” “These things” that the wise and learned often relegate to superstition and chance, the Lord’s unconditional love provides for those, who like him, are “meek and humble of heart.”

Not only that, but Jesus also promises to little ones, who trust their cares and burdens of every day life to his Sacred Heart, that their yoke will be easy and their burden light. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you!

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