Sadly, greatness in today’s secular society is equated with earthly pursuits such as how many touchdowns scored, homeruns hit, discs sold and the like. Recently, I studied in greater detail the life of St. Gertrude the Great. What made her great?
Not much is known of her early life. She was born in the year 1256 in what is presently Germany. The names of her parents are not known. Perhaps this is why at age 5 she was sent to a monastery under the care of St. Mechtilde. In addition to her charming and friendly personality, she excelled in holiness and the practice of the Catholic faith. For these reasons she drew many individuals to the faith. This is what made her great.
As she grew older she responded affirmatively to the call of God and became a Benedictine nun. At the age of 26 she started receiving visions which continued throughout her life. As she grew closer to God, her attachment to transitory earthly things diminished greatly. She was one of the early promoters of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Recently, I had a conversation with a highly intelligent, married woman with children about this very topic. As it often goes, her education in secular studies exceeds that of the faith (which ended after the eighth grade). She was floored when I stated that Jesus, in addition to having a human body, has a human soul. She always thought the Son of God just assumed a human body and not a human soul. I explained that in order to be like us in all things but sin, Jesus must also have a human soul. This means that the divine person of Jesus Christ, in addition to having a divine intellect and will from all eternity, has, after assuming a human nature at the Annunciation, a human intellect and will. We now may begin to understand devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Because of Gertrude’s many revelations from Jesus Christ, she grew in her love and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus which was wounded by our sinfulness. Only in His human nature did Jesus suffer.
This love and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus led her to a profound love of neighbor which resulted in her extraordinary love and kindness for sinners and the poor. She was known to beg for the poor.
Recently, a woman called about a relative of hers – a single mother with a small child with cancer. Fortunately there is insurance to help with the big bills, but because the father of the child has abandoned any meaningful support, she is in need. She is unable to work because of the necessity to stay home with her son who is in the midst of his cancer treatment. I am glad this young woman’s relative called. Her story tugged at our human heartstrings and we will step in to render assistance. How are we able to help her and her son and the countless others who call us or walk through our doors? Because our patrons have love and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which translates to their love of neighbor especially to those who are in need. Thank you for your love and support. Please know that you and your families remain in our prayers. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
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