Fr Ben Garren

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Today I would ask we begin with a pause, find a moment or two of stillness, as we listen for our heartbeat. This thrumming of our human life beating a rhythm inside us.

There is ancient wisdom within Christianity that prayer should always begin with a moment to listen to our heart, not only as a metaphor for our emotions but in a real physical sense. The hope is that by engaging our heartbeats we engage the humanity of Christ’s incarnation. This practice of starting prayer developed into a meditation practice during the thirteenth century.

Led by a group of women mystics and spiritual directors, Mechthild of Hackeborn and Gertrude the Great are two we celebrate today, there arose devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. These women had a great understanding of liturgy, scripture, and theology but understood the limitations of these practices. They knew something less extravagant, a more accessible way of prayer, must be available to all. Most of us can call up a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus but the attached meditation on this image may be new to you.

It begins, as we started, by taking the time to silence our minds so we can hear first our breath moving and then our heart beating within. Once we find that space we hold a longing in our hearts and minds to hear the thrumming of the heart of Jesus thrum. We rest with that longing and allow at least a momentary sense of peace to lift within us before letting it go. This is a practice you may find regularly beneficial. I hope, now that you know about Mechthild and Gertrude, when next you see a Sacred Heart of Jesus about in the world you will take at least a moment to long as they longed to hear it.

Pax,

—Ben