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W hen Jesus left the hidden life of Nazareth for his public life as a teacher, he revealed to others his most personal way of prayer and union with God. This openness was evident in his parables and miracles, through which he shared the mystery of his Father's love with his apostles and disciples. They were awed by the fervor of Jesus' prayer life and asked him to teach them to pray. They were enchanted by his stories and took their meanings to heart. They gave praise to God when the blind began to see and the lepers were cleansed. But this same openness left Jesus exposed to controversy. The Scribes and Pharisees taunted him with questions to the point that he once hid from them. Some disciples even turned their backs on him when he spoke of his coming Passion. In the end, he was unjustly judged and sent out to die. Jesus was never more vulnerable than when he was lifted on the cross, his side wounded by a lance. In these and other events of his life, his love is revealed to us and touches us in the most personal way-literally to the bottom of our hearts. The apostle Phillip, who followed Jesus all this time, was not embarrassed to ask him to reveal the Father "and it will be enough." Jesus' response was simple: he had already shown them the Father's love in his own life. Today, in the openness of Jesus' heart to our own hearts, the heart of God continues to be shown dramatically. When we use words in this way, we put into strong emotional language what goes on between Jesus and ourselves. Just as his disciples did, we love him as a teacher to turn to, as a friend to rely on, as a rescuer from fear and evil. Just as he always does for his followers, he loves us as a teacher who instructs us, as a friend who forgives and encourages us, and as our Savior who strengthens his grace within us. The Sacred Heart of Jesus sums up in just a few powerful words the liveliness of his love for us and the loving response of our own hearts to him.
Will You Take It? Vocation Office
P.O. Box 206
Hales Corners, WI 53130
1-800-609-5559
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