The Heart of Jesus, an invincible force

 St. Gertrude, called the Great, once saw St. John the Apostle in a vision. She asked him why he had not revealed in his Gospel the mystery of the Heart of the Lord Jesus, since it rested on his chest. The saint is said to have replied that his task was to reveal the mystery of the Incarnate Word. And when love wanes, the Lord Jesus himself will reveal the mystery of his most sacred heart to set the whole world on fire with divine love. This happened 400 years later, when the Lord Jesus said to St. Margaret Alacoque, “My Divine Heart is so filled with love for people, and for you in particular, that it can no longer hold within itself these flames of ardent love but must manifest them through you, reveal them to people, and enrich them with the precious wealth that it conceals within itself…” This Divine Heart of Jesus is capable of giving love to all people in the whole world. He forgives all who have offended, insulted, and dishonored him. To people who are afflicted by any sorrow, misery, and sin, he calls, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you strength…” (Mt 11:28). He offers his Divine love to all tired, abandoned, and desperate hearts. Therefore, we cry out to him with the Church: “Heart of Jesus, invincible power, have mercy and save those who glorify you.” In the 1930s, America waged a fight against alcoholism and its excessive spread. This fight was failing badly because the mafia that benefited from it had corrupt allies, even among the police. They blocked the effectiveness of the interventions and often even covered up the people they found. At that time, honest police officers came together and decided to enforce the law, rather than succumb to bribery or threats. Many of them paid with their lives, but they did not give in. To this day, their memory has a beautiful name: the incorruptible. The Divine Savior, in His goodness, offered a magnificent promise and blessing for all classes. The “Twelve Promises of the Heart of Jesus” is a gift of the Heart of Christ, expressing Jesus’ undoubted will to pour out the immense wealth of His heart on all who worship Him. St. Gertrude, whom the Savior chose as the confidant of His Divine Heart, did not live long on this earth, but she did so much that she deserved heaven. She excelled above all in fulfilling the duties of her profession. She was fueled by love for God, which she knew how to transfer to love for all. Let us not be afraid to approach this source either. If we look with trust to the Divine Heart of Jesus, we too will be not only incorruptible but also invincible. St. Paul was already aware of this truth when he wrote, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). 

Wilhelm Busch (in his book Jesus Our Destiny) cites a letter from a young Christian soldier who fell in Russia during World War II. The letter reads something like this: It is terrible all around us! When the Russians fire Katyushas, ​​panic comes over us all. And the cold! And the snow! Terrible! But I am not afraid at all. Even if I should fall, it will be wonderful: then I will be one in glory. There the fighting ends – I will see my Lord face to face, and his glory will surround me. I have nothing against falling here. St. Gertrude of Helfa, called the Great, a virgin, was born in Eisleben, Thuringia, in 1256. As a little girl, she was accepted into the Cistercian monastery in Helfa. A deep Eucharistic piety distinguished her.

In her writings, we find obvious roots of reverence for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She died on November 17, 1301.  He fell shortly afterward. He was not afraid of death either, because he knew Jesus, who provides the sure hope of eternal life! The psalmist was already aware of this when he wrote, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even if the earth shakes and the mountains fall into the depths of the sea. (Ps 45:2-3). Therefore, we too, aware that our God is “our refuge” (Ps 46:8; 12), our “protection” (Ps 58:10) and our “protector” (Ps 58:18), can confidently cry out with the Church: “O mighty Lord, be always with us, for we have no other helper in tribulation besides you. O mighty Lord, remain with us!” (Eucharistic Devotion II).