Journey to the Heart of Jesus

By an Anonymous St. Max Parishioner

I’ve been a parishioner at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish for about 4 years. I’m so grateful for the consistent and persistent opportunities to learn about my faith and grow in it. At some point, I became aware of instructions given from the priest at the altar to parishioners receiving their First Holy Communion. Amidst the instructions were words similar to “… give your heart to Jesus as He gives His Heart to you.” I noticed that these same instructions were spoken at each parish celebration of First Holy Communion. These words seemed comforting and I thought how nice this message was for our First Communicants. However, I did not apply them to myself. Then in April of 2023, St. Max hosted the relics of St. Manuel Gonzalez Garcia and Bl. Carlos Acutis for veneration. I was privileged to venerate them. Within months, I was also able to enjoy the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit hosted at St. Max. While viewing the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit, I was impressed by the scientific discovery of consistent biologic markers in the Precious Blood. Science also proved that the Eucharistic Host tissue was severely distressed human heart tissue. Since I believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, the scientific discoveries enhanced what I have already believed. So, the next time I heard the words “… give your heart to Jesus as He gives His Heart to you,” my heart was pierced with the awareness of what I am supposed to be doing at Holy Communion. I possessed a deep longing to give my heart to Him, and sorrow over falling short of this, over previous decades of my life. It has been about a year now since that heart-piercing moment. I have been privileged to engage in an ongoing, amazing journey as I learn to cooperate with His gift of grace, to offer my heart to Jesus, and receive His Sacred Heart in Holy Communion.