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First Friday Reflection, October, 2014

According to Mark’s Gospel (6:34) Jesus was moved with compassion for those who were like sheep without a shepherd. He invited people to look to God, to live with joy, hope and integrity. He promised he would always be with us and give us his spirit. The spirituality of the Sacred Heart began on Calvary when the centurion pierced Christ's side with a lance. His heart was open for all.  

This sculpture by Timothy Shmalz, which he named Open Your Heart, was created for the Sacred Heart church in Ocean Beach, San Diego. It was designed to express this openness. The work shows Christ opening his cloak to reveal to the world that he holds humanity very close to his heart and invites the viewer to join his flock.

During the years I went to Mass at Sacred Heart in Ocean Beach, I sat near this sculpture. Parishioners often stopped before it. There was a gentleman who knelt there every day after communion and he told me one morning that he prayed before this image, asking God to protect his son, who had been missing for nearly six years. A woman asked me to join her in praying for her daughter. In the sculpture there is a prominent image of a woman in the center of Christ's heart and she looks as though she is running. "I think my daughter is running away,” the woman told me, “and I ask the Sacred Heart to run after her."

Seeing this image I think of all who have prayed before it, of all those who are in Christ's heart today. I am reminded of the Society's motto: "One heart and one soul in the Heart of Jesus.” Who do you hold in your heart?

Mary Ann (Sis) Flynn, RSCJ

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4120 Forest Park Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63108
314.652.1500 | 314.534.6800 fax
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Who We Are

Overview

Our mission

Our guiding calls

Our internationality

Our provincial leadership

Our related organizations

Our heritage and traditions

Our Mission Lived

Overview

Education

Spirituality

Overview
Spirituality Centers
Children of Mary

Justice

Overview
Stuart Center
Ethical investing
Healthy Waters

Community

Overview
Welcoming communities
RSCJ retirement communities

Young Adult Ministry

Duchesne Fund

Connect

Become an Associate

Become a Sister

Join our mailing list

Find an RSCJ

Request a prayer

Ways to give

Resources

Our spiritual library

Publications

Heart magazine

Revealing God's Love in the Midst of Uncertainty

RSCJ Blogs

Quotes from RSCJ

Our History

Overview

History of Enslavement

Key figures

Archives

Miracle at Grand Coteau

New Province Foundations

News

In Memoriam

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