A Mission of the Anglican Church in America

John Henry Cardinal Newman took as his motto Cor Ad Cor Loquitur, the heart speaks to the heart. If we look to the heart of Jesus and seek to follow His example, He would guide our hearts to be more like His. This is what guides us at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, and validates our existence.  Here are some reflections on the Sacred Heart.

ON FORGIVENESS - Like the Prodigal Son, we don’t really expect the full extent of the mercy and forgiveness of God, so we fail to realize it. We remember our faults and are ashamed. They never seem to go away from our remembrance. That’s why we have such a hard time forgiving others. We remember the hurts, the feelings of rejectedness, the inadequacy, the smallness, and we can’t forgive.

In the midst of the pain and suffering, Jesus forgave. From the Cross He says: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Oh, that we could learn to be so quick to forgive that even in the midst of the act against us we would forgive!

Our road to being forgiven and feeling the forgiveness of God depends on our willingness and ability to forgive.  Without divine assistance, grace, we cannot truly forgive. But a prayer to Jesus: Jesus, I am willing to forgive, help me make it an actuality. Father, forgive …. If we are faithful in that prayer, I am certain God will work in us the miracle of divine forgiveness both for others and for ourselves.

Is it easy? No, if it were easy we wouldn’t need God and His Divine assistance would we? But forgiveness and mercy we need to learn from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus forgave from the cross. St. Stephen forgave at the point of death. Forgiveness, even in extreme circumstances, is possible for us.

Father, help us to forgive, help us to forget, even as You forgive us and forget our sins against You as soon as we repent of them. Make us ever willing to follow the example of forgiveness Your Son showed us.

This page is in the process of being built. Ultimately it will links to short teachings like the one following on different aspects/facets of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with the goal of helping us attain the Heart of Christ in our own lives.