The twelve promises of the Sacred Heart devotion are deeply moving, each offering a unique insight into God's love and care. The fourth promise rings out: “I will be their secure refuge during life and above all in death.” This promise is not just a general statement; it is a personal one, spoken directly by Jesus. He offers His protection, care, and refuge to us in our lives and in our final moments.
The
notion of God as our refuge and strength is a theme that dates to our Jewish
forebears. Psalm 46 proclaims, “God is our refuge and our strength, a very
present help in trouble.” The Jewish people understood God to be a refuge, the
Lord who protected them in difficult times. But the surprise comes when we look
at the realization of this promise in Jesus Christ. In the twinkling of an eye,
this promise is fulfilled in a way that no one could possibly expect. The Son
of God, through His incarnation, bridges the divide between heaven and earth.
As we are reminded in 1 John, we are “now called children of God” because God
became man, allowing us to become sons and daughters of the living God. This is
not only our faith, but it is also the power and beauty of our faith—God, in
Jesus, made this promise personal and accessible.
In
Psalm 46, we read that “God is our refuge and our strength,” and we are told
not to fear even when the earth shakes and the seas roar. The promise of refuge
takes on a new meaning with the coming of the Messiah. The surprise is that the
Messiah, God in human form, would fulfill this promise in an astounding and
intimate way. Jesus, as God incarnate, enters our lives and fulfills the
ancient promise of refuge. This is the foundation of our faith: God is not
distant but present, walking among us.
Our
relationship with Jesus is not just about intellectual assent or religious
tradition. It is about allowing Jesus, the Savior of the world, to direct our
lives. Our discipleship is not merely a nice idea or set of faith propositions;
it is a personal relationship with the King of the Universe, who guides us
through life. When Jesus says, “I will be their secure refuge,” He is making a
profound promise to us. He is not a distant deity, but a Shepherd who has come
to be with us, to care for us, and to guide us personally through life’s
storms.
When
Jesus speaks of being our refuge, He is not offering a retreat from life’s
difficulties. Life’s storms are inevitable, and sometimes, we find ourselves
questioning where God is amid them. Jesus, however, does not abandon us. He is
with us in chaos. The Gospel story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41)
beautifully illustrates this. The disciples were terrified as the boat filled
with water, and they cried out to Jesus, who was asleep at the stern. In their
panic, they asked, “Teacher, do you not care that we perish?” Jesus is saying
to Himself, “Yes, I care! I care that you do not perish... this is why I came. Have
faith in Me!” Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea, saying, “Peace, be still!”
The storm calms, and He asks them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no
faith?” The disciples, filled with
wonder and awe, are left asking themselves, “Who is this man, that even the
wind and sea obey Him?”
In
the midst of our own storms—whether they are personal, family, health,
finance—Jesus assures us that He is with us. He does not abandon us in the
chaos. His presence is our refuge. Even when we cannot see His hand guiding us,
He is there, offering His peace in the midst of the storm.
Jesus' promise of being our secure refuge extends not only through the challenges of this life but also through death. This aspect of His promise becomes even more profound when we consider His words in John 14, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places... I go to prepare a place for you.” This promise of eternal life with our Father in heaven offers a sense of peace and security that transcends earthly concerns. No matter what happens in this life, Jesus assures us that He is preparing a place for us in heaven. This is the ultimate security: not just safety in life, but eternal refuge after death. This is what gives us the deepest and most abiding hope. My dear friends in Christ, this world does not know the hope that we have. Hope in Christ is the game changer!
In
the face of uncertainty, the promises of Jesus—His assurance of refuge in this
life and in the life to come—offer us profound comfort. We do not just prepare
for retirement on earth; we are invited to trust in God’s miraculous provision
for our eternal future. Our Savior cares for us in ways we cannot fully
comprehend, offering us peace and refuge both now and in eternity. The age-old
rule for real estate is “location, location, location.” Jesus promises an eternal home for each one
of His beloved followers in the most sublime of all possible locations.
As
we reflect on this fourth promise, we are filled with gratitude for the beauty
of Jesus’ love and care. He is our refuge in life and death, and for that, we
offer our deepest thanks and praise. As the Psalmist says, “Surely goodness and
mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.” This is the promise of the Sacred Heart, and it is a promise
that gives us hope, peace, and assurance for all eternity.
Pax Christi – Fr. Glenn Baaten
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