The Heart & Love of Christ
The Love and Servitude of Jesus
The incarnation of God into man is a cornerstone of our Christian faith, a profound mystery that underscores the depth of God’s love and humility. The Catechism of the Catholic Church articulates this beautifully in paragraph 461: “The Word became flesh to make us ‘partakers of the divine nature’: ‘For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.’” This act of God becoming man, as articulated in the Catechism, reflects not just a mission of redemption but an invitation to share in the divine life itself.
In living as a man, Jesus exemplified the path of humility and service. The Gospel of John provides a vivid illustration of this humility in action: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15). Here, Jesus not only teaches the importance of serving others but embodies this principle by performing a task reserved for servants, thereby demonstrating the depth of his humility and love.
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus challenged societal norms, criticized the self-righteousness of the religious elite, and redirected focus toward the heart of God’s law: love and compassion. His teachings and actions often turned societal expectations upside down, emphasizing that true greatness lies in humility and service to others.
Jesus’s willingness to retreat from the crowds and focus on prayer, as well as His choice to face death willingly, further demonstrate His commitment to fulfilling His divine mission over seeking personal glory. The Catechism reflects on this sacrifice in paragraph 609: “By his obedience unto death, Jesus accomplished the substitution of the suffering Servant, who ‘makes himself an offering for sin’, when ‘he bore the sin of many’, and who ‘shall make many to be accounted righteous’, for ‘he shall bear their iniquities’.” This passage highlights Jesus’s role as the suffering Servant prophesied in Isaiah, willingly offering Himself for the salvation of humanity.
The life of Jesus, as chronicled in the Scriptures and expounded upon in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, serves as a model for all Christians. His incarnation, ministry, and sacrifice embody God’s immense love for humanity and call us to live in imitation of Christ—embracing humility, practicing love, and seeking to serve rather than be served. Through understanding and reflecting on these truths, we can better appreciate the magnitude of what it means that God became man and dwelt among us, calling us to a life that transcends our own.
The Heart and Example of Jesus
The ministry of Jesus was marked by an outpouring of love, a testament to the heart of God made manifest in the world. Through His actions and teachings, Jesus healed the sick, served without seeking recognition, and taught the principles of servant leadership—a leadership style rooted in divine providence. He emphasized self-control, obedience, and an acute awareness of the faith of others, celebrating their trust in God during moments of vulnerability. Jesus, in His profound compassion, not only provided physical healing but also offered deep understanding and spiritual guidance through His parables.
Jesus’s life was a revelation of God’s heart, showing us that through His intercession, we are seen by God in a new light. This does not imply that God was unaware of us before, but rather that Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection have opened a new pathway of relationship and understanding between humanity and the divine. As articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God” (CCC 457). Jesus’s mission was to bridge the gap between humanity and God, offering Himself as the ultimate mediator and guide.
The essence of having a heart like Jesus’s lies in embracing servant leadership, adhering to His teachings, and trusting in God’s divine providence. Jesus’s example of unwavering faith and dedication to God’s will serves as a model for us to follow. By embodying the virtues He preached, we too can cultivate a heart that mirrors the compassion, humility, and love of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this transformation, guiding us toward a deeper understanding and peace that reflects the heart of Jesus. As stated in the Catechism, “By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we share in the life of the Beloved Son, in his filial life with the Father” (CCC 736). This divine assistance enables us to spread the Gospel and embody the love of Christ in our actions and interactions.
In conclusion, by living as servant leaders, committing ourselves to obedience and trust in God’s plan, and fostering a deep connection with the Holy Spirit, we can strive to have a heart like Jesus’s. Through God’s grace, the Word made flesh came to dwell among us, and by the same grace, we are empowered to share the love and heart of His Son with the world.
