The heart is the great and universal symbol for love. The constant and overriding message from Christ was one of love. The image of the Sacred Heart speaks to us of this love. In that image we have a heart burning with love for us. It says, "I can give you no more than my whole heart". There is no more anyone can give. But it says more than this.
It speaks of openness, acceptance and forgiveness - all the attributes of a loving and generous heart. It is a welcoming heart open in its invitation to us to come with our worries, our fears, and our needs. It is a symbol of great strength that has supported, consoled and given hope to millions. It is a strength tattoo for those who wear it and for many who look upon it.
Why The Sacred Heart
The images of the cross, of Christ and of his mother and the saints help give the faithful the spiritual strength they need. From them they can derive comfort, strength and hope.
Special prayers and observances that help in devotion to God and to those close to him generally accompany the images. In the end, they are a constant reminder of God's eternal presence.
Devotion to the Heart of Jesus goes back to the early days of Christianity but it was not until the 11th and 12th centuries that devotion was practiced to the Sacred Heart. This happened mainly in religious congregations. It was after visions of Christ to Margaret Mary Alocoque in the 17th century that the Sacred Heart became known and spread among the faithful. Christ asked her to spread this devotion and it has become one of the most popular and best-known devotions in the Church.
Symbolism Of The Sacred Heart
The image of the Sacred Heart is often drawn as a flaming, bleeding heart radiating with divine light, pierced by the lance, surrounded by a crown of thorns and surmounted by a cross. It can be depicted in Christ's bosom with his hands pointing to the wounds he suffered. His hands show the wounds from the crucifixion.
It reminds us of the unconditional love he has for humanity and the suffering and death he was prepared to endure for us. The fire reminds us of a heart burning with love for us, a divine love, which can transform us. We are drawn into that all-enveloping love so that we can return it by loving Christ through his heart. His heart speaks to our heart.
We are also reminded that for all the love he offered us it was rejected, which is symbolized by the bleeding heart, the cross and the crown of thorns and, in some images, by a broken heart.
By wearing a Sacred Heart tattoo you are making a statement of faith. But you are also saying to yourself and others, you are sharing the great love Christ has for humanity. You are gaining strength from what it symbolizes and you are sharing that strength with others.
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