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INSCRIBE JESUS ON YOUR HEART!
[People] engaged in horticulture tell us that if a word is written on a sound almond seed and it is placed again in its shell, carefully wrapped up and planted, whatever fruit the tree bears will have that same written word stamped on it.
For this reason...I have wished above all else to engrave and inscribe on your heart this holy, sacred maxim, LIVE JESUS! I am sure that your life, which comes from the heart just as the almond tree comes from its seed, will after that produce all its actions – which are its fruits – inscribed and engraved with this sacred word of salvation.
Oeuvres, III, 216-217: Introduction to the Devout Life, III, 23.
“Live Jesus!” What a wonderful vision for us to reflect upon as a Christian community as we are called to live a life of holiness and serve others! St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) relied upon the metaphor of the almond tree to describe the inward and outward changes that would take place in one’s life as the holy, sacred maxim would be inscribed upon the heart of the believer. As the fruit from the almond tree bears the same word inscribed on the sound almond seed, similarly, the fruits, the actions of the faithful followers of Jesus, bear the word inscribed upon their hearts. To “Live Jesus!” for Francis de Sales meant to have the name of Jesus engraved on one’s heart and that one’s entire life – body, thoughts, affections, actions, decisions, work, leisure, devotion – would be animated by the presence of Jesus Christ. Jesus was a presence to be experienced, a reality to be lived.
This faith community of St. Mary Parish shares in the mission and ministry of Jesus by embracing the Gospel and living our faith each day. Our parish theme for this year is “Live Jesus . . . . Serve Others!” As a faith community, we will endeavor to put our faith into action . . .in all that we do. Our service to our parish, our community, our neighbors, our state, our nation and the world will all reflect this theme. All members of our faith community are urged to prayerfully reflect on their relationship with God, discerning who Jesus is for them, and then committing to a covenant partnership of Time, Talent and Treasure. Nothing that occurs at St. Mary parish can happen without the commitment of our faithful parishioners. Each of us is called to determine how we will help to make the message of Jesus come alive through our own personal efforts.
In the spirit of St. Francis de Sales, may our hearts be inscribed with the holy name of Jesus, may our lives be animated by the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit, may our hearts be filled with praise and gratitude to God our heavenly Father, and, ultimately, may our lives bear fruit and give witness to Jesus Christ forever and ever.
Gratefully in Christ,
Father Greg Greiten, Pastor
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