Come to the Humble Heart of Christ | Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

This weekend marks the 250th birthday of the United States of America. It’s an important milestone with so much to celebrate. Visitors for the World Cup discovered anew the greatness of the United States—not least the friendliness, helpfulness, and magnanimity of the people. Many Europeans wonder how they can go on without ranch dressing once they return home!

And yet . . . the most important words we hear this weekend will be at Mass: the most consoling invitation, that of Jesus in the Gospel: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” This gospel passage is sometimes used in votive Masses of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This usage unlocks its meaning.

These words of Jesus sustain us looking back, moving forward, and living in our time. Our coming to the Heart of Jesus refreshes us, gives us peace, and urges us on to live like Him who is “meek and humble of heart.” It identifies our need to “follow the poor Christ, the humble and cross-bearing Christ,” the glorious Christ (Lumen Gentium, 41).

We see the same humility of Christ in the first reading (Zech 9). The Savior King enters His city, “meek and riding on a donkey.” The donkey carried weights and burdens and was the meek animal of peace—the opposite of the war horses and chariots of other nations. It was the transportation of the Davidic King or Messiah. Being placed on the royal mule was part of the kingly enthronement of the Son of David (1 Kgs 1:38).

The point is that the Divine Messiah comes differently. He comes humbly, to save and bring peace. From the donkey bearing the humble Christ, we learn that “the glory of charity is more than a match for the parade of power.” (St. Ambrose). It’s a lesson worth learning repeatedly.

Whatever divides us, we will always find unity in the Heart of Christ. He is ever-beckoning and drawing us. The closer we get to Christ—the more we grow in His likeness—the more the world benefits. The “normal” that Christianity offers is a Person: “Jesus Christ, who gives form through a relationship of love” (Fr. John Gavin, Growing into God, 174). The call to “come to Him” is a personal call to the holiness that is timeless. Our greatest hope is to return to the Heart of Christ and let Him restore us. Our identity is found and renewed in His Heart of obedient love. When we know who we are, then we know how to live.

Coming to Him and abiding in His heart changes us, expanding our hearts for His love. Fr. Jean D’Elbée, inspired by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, puts it like this: Often (he writes), “we apply to the Heart of Jesus the measure of our own miserable hearts, so mean, so narrow, so hard; and we do not succeed in comprehending how good, how indulgent, how compassionate, how gentle, and how patient is Jesus Himself.” (I Believe in Love, 73).

Often, we are harsh with others because we do not know the Heart of Jesus. We are severe through lack of humility, the humility that “permits Him to make our hearts gentle and humble like His, to exchange our hearts for His.” (D’Elbée, 74).

Come to Him and let Him expand your love. Give Him your heart and take His to yourself. Here lies true liberty and greatness.