Reflections on “Dilexit Nos”
I love the quote by St. Iremaeus “the glory of God is man fully alive.” Easter gives this truth its fullest horizon. The resurrection is God’s great declaration that life—not fear, not resignation, not the slow drift into comfort—is our true destiny.
So it becomes a holy and honest question for each of us: Are you living life to your full potential or stuck in the comfort crisis most of us face today?
The best way to live is from the heart, yet so often we find ourselves stuck in our heads. It’s been said that the longest journey we will ever make is the one from the head to the heart. By coming to know the heart of Jesus—both human and divine—we learn how to follow his way and begin the true journey of our lives.And the most beautiful part is this: the journey begins with the certainty that we are completely and unconditionally loved.
Easter reminds us that this love is not abstract. It is alive, active, and always drawing us toward a fuller aliveness—one shaped by courage, purpose, and the quiet boldness of the Spirit. It invites us to rise with Christ, to step beyond what is familiar, and to move toward what is most deeply true.
Over the next month, I will be sharing reflections on Pope Francis’ Encyclical “Dilexit Nos” It is an encyclical that focuses on the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ. This journey is an invitation to live from the heart – a practice that leads to a deep sense of wholeness and connection with the sacred. In a world that often leaves us feeling fragmented, this encyclical has been a powerful call to reconnect with our most fundamental selves and to own our belovedness.
I am my heart
Pope Francis
As the encyclical states, “I am my heart.” This simple, yet profound statement has become my guide, reminding me that my true identity isn’t defined by what I do or what I have, but by the deepest, most authentic part of me.
We will explore why the heart is the true source of sincerity and truth, the dangers of living a superficial life, and the unique role of Christ’s love in guiding us. I hope you’ll join me on this journey back to the heart, the place where our deepest convictions and capacity for love reside. After all, what we believe in our hearts is the filter in which we view our whole lives.
This final journey, from our heads to our hearts, is made possible through Jesus. Saint Paul tells us that Christ’s love for us is unbreakable, a certainty we can hold onto because Jesus himself called us friends and loved us first. His open heart is an unconditional invitation, a divine example of living from a place of pure love. By trusting in this love, we can begin to follow his path, making the journey of a lifetime and learning to live from our own hearts
Smitten With Goodness 