As we live in this fallen world, we often experience rejection and betrayal from those we tend to love the most. In this case, it can be difficult to bear and as a result of that, we may feel unloved by everyone and feel utterly alone.
So, it is during those times that Jesus wants to leave a message of love to us, and there is a particular scene in the Bible that can bring consolation and peace to us.
Though, the scene does not immediately bring itself to meditation, but when looked at more closely, it can provide hours of prayer.
It is actually from the Gospel of John and features a brief moment when the “beloved disciple” of Jesus rests on his chest during the Last Supper.
(John 13:23, 25), “One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side … He leaned back against Jesus’ chest”.
In this short verse, there is much to unpack from it.
Firstly, instead of identifying the disciple, St. John declares that it was the disciple “whom Jesus loved.” As it might refer to a specific individual, it also means to each one of us, whom Jesus loves very dearly.
Jesus however, revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, “My Divine Heart is so passionately in love with humanity that it can no longer contain within itself the flames of its ardent charity. It must pour them out.”
Jesus loves us infinitely more than we can ever imagine and he wants to pour out that love upon us all. Cause, he can no longer contain the love that he has for us.
Moreover, this disciple at the Last Supper leaned upon the chest of Jesus resting on his heart. Think about that for a few seconds.
Wouldn’t you also want to rest on the heart of Jesus?
So, think about when you were a child, when you leaned back against your mother or father and rested your head upon their chest, embraced in their arms.
Also, this is exactly what Jesus wants you to do and the feelings he wants you to feel when thinking about this scene.
As Jesus asked St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to do this particular action when he visited her, “He made me repose for a long time upon His breast. He showed me the inexplicable wonders of His pure love, and to what an excess He had carried it for the love of humanity.”
So, this scene always come alive each time we receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. After receiving him into our hearts, we go back to the pew and can meditate on this scene.
It can also be a powerful experience if we truly believe that God truly loves us and is inviting us to rest on his heart.
