Reflection: Jesus is Mercy Incarnate

Dorothy Pion. Greetings. This is a letter to you all on behalf of the International Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family as we look forward to celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the 7th of June, 2024.
“Jesus is Mercy Incarnate” is chosen as the theme for this reflective letter. Fr. Jules Chevalier wrote, “We owe the gift of heaven to the love of the heart of Jesus. This thought fills us with the most consoling hope because Jesus is mercy incarnate” (Jules Chevalier, le Sacre-Coeur, p299f). This quote is a beautiful reflection on the love of Jesus and is a reminder that Jesus’ love is the foundation of our hope, granting us access to heaven. As we embrace His mercy, we are called to love others in the same sacrificial way. May this truth fill our hearts with comfort and inspire us to share His love with those around us.
So, how do we love those around us?
Love. This was depicted in Cebu, Philippines, when the Laity of the Chevalier Family had its fourth international assembly from the 21st of January to the 29th of January 2024 with the theme “One Heart in Caring for our Common Home”. This uplifting nine days of assembly saw several resolutions passed on the assembly’s theme of caring for our common home. The International Council also introduced the new Council members after Alison McKenzie was elected Secretary for another term (6 years). The newly appointed council members were Dorothy Pion (PNG), Aidan Johnson (Australia), Petrus Maringka (Indonesia), and Patricia Rivas (Guatemala), who will serve for the next six years. Aine Monrandonte (Phillipines) will serve for a year. Regional Coordinators were also selected, and they are Olguita Garcia Ocompo (Peru) for Central and South America, Raphael Kowih (PNG) for Papua New Guinea and Jos Vriesema (Netherlands) for Europe. We are grateful to Sr Merle Salazar FDNSC who accepted our invitation to become our new companion of the Laity. She was also welcomed at the commissioning of the Council members.
As we celebrate the Sacred Heart feast day this year, a significant Feast Day for the Chevalier family and all Catholics, we celebrate the love and compassion symbolised by the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Heart is where everything begins and ends for us on Earth when it stops beating. Ironically, the heart is mentioned over 1000 times in the bible, so it must be very significant. Of course, the heart is the core of our emotions, thoughts, and will. It shapes who we are and how we live our lives. Imagine this is Jesus’ heart in us. As we contemplate his heart, we invite the Sacred Heart to guard our emotions, thoughts, and will. The Sacred Heart should shape who we are and how we live our lives. This is the will of the Sacred Heart. The laity of the Chevalier is called to reflect deeply on the message of the Sacred Heart, emphasising themes of love, mercy, and devotion. We are encouraged to contemplate how to embody these virtues in our daily lives, both within the Church community and the wider world.
This year, especially after the international Assembly, we are reminded to “be on Earth, the Heart of God” in caring for our common home and for everyone we encounter in our lives putting ourselves in everyone’s shoes. We are challenged daily to act with compassion towards others and our environment.
Through prayer, reflection, and acts of service, as laity of the Chevalier, we can deepen their spiritual connection to the Sacred Heart and inspire others to embrace the values it represents.
This feast day is a time for renewal and recommitment to living a life rooted in faith, love, and service to others. Let us look up to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a perpetual reminder that His Heart is ever open, ever seeking, ever merciful, and ever welcoming to those who seek Him. The Sacred Heart is a living, breathing, beating image of love, mercy, and compassion for humanity. It stands as a beacon of hope for the fearful, urging us not to succumb to fear in this world. Instead, it inspires us to hope, love, find joy, and embrace courage during times of tribulation and uncertainty. And we must always remember that the heart of Jesus is mercy incarnate.
May we all have a blessed Sacred Heart Feast Day celebration wherever we are.
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved. Forever.
Prayers and blessings to all.
Sincerely.
Dorothy Pion