“Dilexit Nos” uses a powerful example of a character who had “no heart,” making him incapable of true intimacy or closeness. This resonated deeply with me. True intimacy, whether with God or with others, requires an open heart. Without it, we become strangers to ourselves.
Continue reading “The Heart and Intimacy”
For centuries, philosophers have often prioritized reason and will, frequently overlooking the heart. “Dilexit Nos” argues that this has led to a “stunting of the idea of a personal center.” I’ve felt this pressure in my own life—the constant push to be logical and rational, often at the expense of my emotions and intuition.
Continue reading “The Heart vs. Rationalism”
Our society is often described as “liquid,” characterized by a “hectic pace” and a constant bombardment of technology. It’s incredibly easy to get swept away by this current, to lack the patience for an interior life. The danger, as “Dilexit Nos” points out, is that we “risk losing our center, the center of our very selves.”
Continue reading “The Heart in a Liquid World”
“Dilexit Nos” invites us to ask the truly important questions: “Who am I, really? What am I looking for? What direction do I want to give to my life?”
Continue reading “The Big Questions in Life”
I was moved by the story about Pope Francis’s grandmother’s pastry in “Dilexit Nos”, which was fittingly called “lies.” The pastry would puff up in the boiling oil, looking big and impressive on the outside, but was completely empty on the inside.
Continue reading “A Lesson from a Grandmother’s Pastry”
“Dilexit Nos” which I’ve been reflecting on doesn’t shy away from a difficult truth: “the heart is devious above all else.” It reminds me that our inner reality is often hidden behind “foliage”—a sobering thought, but also a call to action.
Continue reading “The Devious Heart and False Appearances”
The encyclical calls the heart “the locus of sincerity, where deceit and disguise have no place.” This has been a real challenge for me. How often do I put on a mask for the world, pretending to be someone I’m not?
Continue reading “The Heart and Sincerity”
The Bible has a beautiful and rich tradition of speaking about the heart. It’s described not just as a physical organ but as the “hidden core” of who we are—the very place where God sees our true thoughts and intentions.
Continue reading “The Heart in the Biblical Tradition”
I often find myself caught up in the “superficiality of our modern age.” “Dilexit Nos” , which I’ve been reflecting on, offers a powerful critique, speaking of how we can become “insatiable consumers and slaves to the mechanisms of a market unconcerned about the deeper meaning of our lives.”
Continue reading “The Heart in a Superficial World”
The central message of “Dilexit Nos” is a simple yet profound one: “He loved us.” For so long, I spent my life trying to earn love, but this truth reminds me that I don’t have to.
Continue reading “Christ’s Unconditional Love”
Smitten With Goodness 