Episode 1307: The Four Hearts

"Now it was the Preparation Day, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: 'Not one of his bones will be broken,' and, as another scripture says, 'They will look on the one they have pierced.'" (John 19:31-37, Vulgate)

Our Lord said to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque "Here is the Heart that so loved man."
emphasizes his immense love for humanity, symbolized by his Sacred Heart. This message became central to the devotion to the Sacred Heart, which focuses on recognizing and returning Christ's love through acts of reparation and devotion.

The Four Hearts

I started an apostolate called the “Slaves of the Hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph” and our logo is the 3 hearts next to each other.

However this past week we celebrated the feast of the sacred heart of Jesus and so for that day the 3 hearts became the 4 hearts. The 4th heart is ours joined in. \
The Symbolism of the Sacred Heart: The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus represents His immense love and compassion for humanity. As traditional Catholics, we recognize that our hearts are intimately linked to His Sacred Heart, signifying our desire to emulate His love and mercy in our own lives.
Here are some additional insights into its symbolism:

Love and Compassion: The Sacred Heart is a powerful symbol of Jesus' boundless love and compassion for humanity. It represents His divine love that encompasses all people, regardless of their sins or shortcomings. The flames emanating from the heart symbolize the intensity and transformative power of His love.

Sacrificial Love: The image of the Sacred Heart often includes a crown of thorns encircling it. This symbolizes the suffering and sacrifice Jesus endured out of love for humanity. It serves as a reminder of His ultimate act of self-giving on the cross, where His heart was pierced, signifying the depths of His love and redemption for humanity.

Divine Mercy: The rays of light emanating from the Sacred Heart represent divine mercy flowing forth abundantly. This symbolism reflects Jesus' desire to extend forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation to all who turn to Him with contrite hearts. It reminds us that no sin is too great to be forgiven through His mercy.

Heart of Flesh: The Sacred Heart is often depicted as a heart of flesh, free from sin and fully alive. This represents Jesus' perfect humanity, His purity of heart, and His complete union with the divine. It serves as a model for us to strive for purity of heart and holiness in our own lives.

Invitation to Intimacy: The open and exposed heart of Jesus invites us into a deep and personal relationship with Him. It beckons us to draw near, to rest in His love, and to pour out our own hearts in return. It symbolizes His desire for an intimate communion with each of His followers.

Universal Kingship: The image of the Sacred Heart often includes a cross atop the heart, signifying Jesus' kingship and lordship over all creation. It represents His sovereignty and the invitation for us to surrender our lives to His loving rule.

These symbols of the Sacred Heart of Jesus convey profound spiritual truths and inspire devotion and contemplation. They serve as reminders of Jesus' love, mercy, sacrifice, and divine majesty, inviting us to respond with heartfelt devotion, gratitude, and a desire to live in accordance with His teachings.

Sharing in Christ's Love: Through our faith and devotion, we strive to align our hearts with the heart of Jesus, embracing His selfless love and seeking to love others as He does. This union allows us to participate in Christ's mission of spreading love and reconciliation in the world.

Consecration to the Sacred Heart: Traditional Catholic spirituality often emphasizes the act of consecrating oneself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This act signifies our desire to surrender our hearts completely to Him, inviting Him to dwell within us, guide us, and transform us to be more like Him.

Drawing Strength and Grace: Our union with the Sacred Heart grants us access to His infinite grace and strength. In times of trials or challenges, we can turn to the Sacred Heart for solace, finding comfort and support in His boundless love and compassion.

Devotion and Practices: Traditional Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart often involves specific practices, such as the Litany of the Sacred Heart, the practice of the First Fridays, and the enthronement of the Sacred Heart in homes and communities. These practices help deepen our awareness of our unity with the Sacred Heart and foster our spiritual growth.

Living Out the Heart of Jesus: As traditional Catholics, we understand that our union with the Sacred Heart calls us to actively manifest His love in our daily lives. This entails practicing acts of kindness, forgiveness, and mercy, and working towards justice and compassion in our interactions with others.

In summary, as traditional Catholics, we firmly believe that our hearts are united with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This union empowers us to embrace His love, seek His guidance, draw from His grace, and reflect His compassionate heart in the world. It is through this profound connection that we find inspiration, strength, and purpose in our faith journey.
So you may ask about the other two hearts:
The term "Immaculate Heart" stems from the Catholic belief in the Immaculate Conception of Mary, which asserts that she was conceived without original sin. Mary's Immaculate Heart represents her perfect purity and her complete openness and receptivity to God's will.

The devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary aims to honor and emulate Mary's virtues, particularly her humility, obedience, and self-sacrificing love. It encourages believers to seek her intercession and to imitate her example in their own lives. The devotional practices associated with the Immaculate Heart include prayers, consecrations, and acts of reparation.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary is often depicted in religious art as a heart symbol surrounded by roses, pierced by swords, and sometimes adorned with a crown. It is closely linked to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, emphasizing the spiritual union and love between Jesus and Mary.
The term "humble heart of St. Joseph" refers to the virtue of humility that is attributed to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus and the spouse of the Virgin Mary. Humility is often associated with St. Joseph because of his willingness to accept God's will and his role in the plan of salvation, despite his own human limitations and uncertainties.

St. Joseph's humility is seen in his obedience to God's commands, as demonstrated by his acceptance of Mary as his wife and his role as the guardian and protector of Jesus. He is portrayed as a humble and righteous man who faithfully followed God's guidance and entrusted himself to God's providence.

The humble heart of St. Joseph serves as an example for believers to emulate, encouraging them to approach God with a similar attitude of humility, surrender, and trust in His divine plan. St. Joseph's humility is often admired and celebrated for his selfless service and his willingness to put the needs of others above his own.

So what is the 4th heart you may ask?

We as practicing Catholics use the devotions to serve as spiritual aids to deepen one's relationship with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, and to foster a greater love for God and neighbor. They encourage us to contemplate the mysteries of Christ's love, Mary's role as the Mother of God, and St. Joseph's humble and faithful service. Through these devotions, we seek to grow in holiness and draw closer to the hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, finding comfort, guidance, and inspiration in their example and intercession.

So ever morning when you put your feet on the ground say “Jesus meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto thine”