the look of love
"They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced." —John 19:37
"God is Love" (1 Jn 4:16). This is the most fundamental revelation from God. "We, for our part, love because He first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19). First of all, we must know that God loves us.
However, we have great difficulty believing in God's love for us. Although He draws us "with human cords, with bands of love," and although He stoops to feed and heal us (see Hos 11:4), we may not believe He loves us. Even when God became a human being and proved His love by dying on the cross for us (Rm 5:8), we denied, ignored, and questioned His love.
The Lord has sent apostles, prophets, preachers, and teachers to proclaim His love (see Eph 4:11). These proclamations have been like a two-edged sword, which penetrated, divided, and judged the thoughts and reflections of our hearts (Heb 4:12). In this way, many people have come to believe in God's love for them and begin to live a new life of love.
Probably the most effective proclamation of God's love for each of us is the prophetic vision of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Look at a picture of the Sacred Heart. "Thus you will be able to grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge, so that you may attain to the fullness of God Himself" (Eph 3:18-19). Look daily at a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Believe that He loves you.
Prayer: Father, on this world day of prayer for the sanctification of priests, let priests know, give, and preach Your love as never before.
Promise: "My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred." —Hos 11:8
Praise: Norm gives pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to newly married couples as his way of bringing Jesus into their homes.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Sacred Heart on audio AV 19-1 or video V-19.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2012
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.