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THEOLOGICAL SYMBOLISM OF THE IMAGE OF THE SACRED HEART
In the image of the Sacred Heart, we see the risen Christ with his wounds glorified, giving us hope that our own wounds will be the reward of eternal life. Christ reveals his pierced side and points to his exposed heart, showing us that he wants an intimate encounter with us, a personal relationship with him.
As we enter into His Heart, into a personal relationship with him, we realize that his ardent and persevering love, symbolized by the flames that surround it, wants to enkindle this fire of love within us (see Luke 12:49-50).
The crown of thorns that surrounds his heart is evidence that he bore our pains, failures, and sins (see Isaiah 53:5). But through the cross he has overcome, he has won, he has transformed an instrument of death into life, displaying it as a flag and trophy at the top of his heart, gathering us to himself as shepherd to his flock (see Isaiah 11:12).
Through this intimate relationship, He becomes our King, healing us and uniting us to Him. In the initials INRI, the Death Sentence Jesus Nazarenus Rex Iudeorum- Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews (John 19:19) that was written on the sign above the crucified Christ, he reveals to us the desire of his Heart, to be our King and Lord (see Ezekiel 34:23-24). Jesus reveals himself as king, the king of love from the cross.
Jesus reveals to us the bleeding wound in his side which is the fruitful font that bathes the Church and every baptized person like living water (John 4:14) that brings to life and purifies everything in its path (see Ezekiel 47:1-12). It is the strength of the kingdom that
Christ gives us in the Eucharist, source of fruitfulness for the whole Church.
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