The Unconditional Love of Christ

by Fr. John Granato  |  01/12/2025  |  Words from Fr. John

My Dear Friends,

“He loved us,” Saint Paul says of Christ (cf. Rom. 8:37), to make us realize that nothing can ever “separate us” from that love (Rom. 8:39). Paul could say this with certainty because Jesus himself had told his disciples, “I have loved you” (John 15:9,12). Even now, the Lord says to us, “I have called you friends” (John 15:15). His open heart has gone before us and waits for us unconditionally, asking only to offer us his love and friendship. For “he loved us first” (cf. 1 John 4:10). Because of Jesus, “we have come to know and believe in the love that God has for us” (1 John 4:16).

This is the first paragraph of Pope Francis’s encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. An encyclical is usually titled by the first words of the encyclical in Latin, in this case, Dilexit Nos. Pope Francis sets the stage in the first chapter (31 paragraphs) called The Importance of the Heart. Chapter two follows with the title, Actions and Words of Love (paragraphs 32-47). This chapter begins with the words of Francis, “The Heart of Christ, as the symbol of the deepest and most personal source of his love for us, is the very core of the initial preaching of the Gospel. It stands at the origin of our faith, as the wellspring that refreshes and enlivens our Christian beliefs.” Pope Francis points out that Jesus loves passionately and compassionately. Jesus, Pope Francis says, could be deeply moved and grieved, and he was not indifferent to the cares of the people, who are sheep without a shepherd. In paragraph 46, Pope Francis continues, “The Cross is Jesus’ most eloquent word of love. A word that is not shallow, sentimental, or merely edifying. This is why Saint Paul, struggling to find the right words to describe his relationship with Christ, could speak of ‘the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’ (Gal. 2:20). Saint Paul knew deep in his soul that he was truly loved by the one who offered himself on the Cross.

These two chapters are a prelude to the next three chapters, where Pope Francis will delve more deeply into the devotion to the Sacred Heart. I will summarize these chapters in upcoming bulletin letters. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.