The Steady Rhythm of the Sacred Heart
Faustina is such an amazing saint. Not simply because she accomplished great things here on earth, but because she was an incredible example of living and witnessing to trust and mercy in her daily life.
Trust and mercy: the great message that comes to us from St. Faustina, the great remedy for times when we find ourselves inevitably distracted, harried, strung-out, or just tired and in need of grace. Refocus on God’s mercy. . . . Accept our need. . . . Make an act of trust.
A friend of mine said something to me a few weeks ago that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind; and it’s the perfect way to refocus, accept, and trust. I was sharing some of the little frustrations of everyday life and he said, “Just take a second to be still and listen to the steady rhythm of the Sacred Heart beating underneath all your activities, all your thoughts, all your stress.” The steady rhythm of the Sacred Heart! I caught my breath and said, “Can you repeat that, please?!” As he said it again, it was like breathing peace deep into my soul: “Be still and listen to the beating of His Heart . . . it’s always there, you just need to tune in.”
This simple phrase has made such a difference! Almost every day, I catch myself getting caught up in something silly or about to react poorly to a situation, and then I remember, “Wait, . . . His Heart is still beating, still keeping that steady rhythm under all of this. I don’t need to be anxious, annoyed, fearful, or anything else, because He is here with me.”
Whether we use words or not, when we simply refocus on God, humbly accepting our spiritual dependence, we can live trust, as Faustina did. And there’s something so calming and hopeful in this, just letting go and allowing God to be in control.
Even if all you do is pray, “Jesus, I trust in You” over and over again; even if you only “tune in” a few times to listen to His Sacred Heart beating in the stillness underneath it all, it will fill you with peace and help you to grow in trust, living day-by-day in the unfathomable mercy of God.
—Mary Flynn, Musings
Consideration
In the busyness of my days, can I make time to pause and refocus on God,
taking a moment to rest in His Heart, recognize my total dependence on Him, and
make an act of trust?
Prayer
Lord, help me to rely totally on You, and in the ups and downs of my life, let me find
peace in the “steady rhythm” of your merciful Heart.
ooo
This article is taken from a chapter in A Year with Divine Mercy by Vinny Flynn and Erin Flynn which is available from TAN Books.
