A biblical spirituality of the heart

the long version

The human heart, with all its potential for good and bad, is given a rich variety of meanings in Sacred Scripture. As a symbol of the depths of a person, the heart can become hardened and foolish. But God, too, has a heart -- one that is greater than ours. In his concern for our happiness and well-being, he has offered to change our hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. This promise was fulfilled in Jesus. Gentle and humble of heart, from whose pierced side flowed living streams of blood and water for the salvation of the world, Jesus invites us to give him our hearts that he might heal them and make then whole. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is based on this remarkable truth of our faith.