A Humble New Heart

The Humble Heart of Christ: The School of Mary

The Lord Jesus, speaking of Himself, said: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29). Jesus thus confirms that, according to biblical tradition, “the heart” indicates the center of the person, the seat of one’s feelings and intentions.

The Letter to the Hebrews says that “the word of God is living and effective, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates even to the division of soul and body, of joints and marrow, and discerns the feelings and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12). In this way, it speaks of a core, the heart, which lies hidden behind all appearances, and even behind superficial thoughts. The heart is likewise the place of sincerity, where one cannot deceive or dissemble. It indicates one’s true intentions, what one really thinks, believes, and wants (cf. Francis, Encyclical Dilexit Nos, October 24, 2024).

To save man, the victim of his own disobedience, God willed to give him a “new heart,” faithful to His will of love (cf. Jer 31:33; Ezek 36:26; Ps 50:12). This heart is the Heart of Christ, the masterpiece of the Holy Spirit, which began to beat in the virginal womb of Mary and was pierced by a lance on the Cross, thus becoming, for all, an inexhaustible source of eternal life (cf. John Paul II, Angelus, June 23, 2002).

In the Heart of Christ the Redeemer we adore God’s love for humanity, His will for universal salvation, and His infinite mercy. In celebrating the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the liturgy we cast our gaze into the Heart of Jesus, which in death was opened by the soldier’s lance. His Heart is open, for us and before our eyes. In this way, the Heart of God Himself is open (cf. Benedict XVI, Homily on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 11, 2010).

Mary, Model of the Humble Heart Configured by Christ

The Heart of Christ, which began to beat in the virginal womb of Mary, configured the heart of His Mother, making it like His own in meekness and humility. The humble heart of the Mother is a mirror of the humility of the Son, because everything in Mary depends on Christ and is at His service. Our gaze upon the heart of the Mother must begin from our gaze upon the Heart of the Son, from which it receives light and configuration. With Mary, and guided by her, we draw near to Christ to learn His meek and humble Heart.

The Mother of Jesus, as Saint Augustine teaches, “before conceiving the Lord in her body, had already conceived Him in her heart.” She is, in body and soul and forever, the dwelling place of the Lord. Thus, as God’s dwelling place on earth, she is the teacher of all hearts that, through faith, desire Jesus to dwell in them.

The relationship between the Heart of Christ and the heart of Mary is contemplated in the Encyclical Haurietis Aquas of Pius XII, where devotion to the Sacred Heart is explored in depth in the light of Mary’s mission.

Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian apparitions, and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology.

Formation in Mariology: The Locus Mariologicus Institute offers the Postgraduate Program in Mariology, articles, and academic resources on Mariology, Marian apparitions, and Marian Theology.

To explore more deeply the Marian spirituality of humility and devotion, consult the Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus of Pope Paul VI.