Kids, Cardiology, & the Sacred Heart: A Reflection on Innocence

A friend of mine, an adult woman, held a child in her arms. The little girl, who had an intellectual disability, rested her head against the woman’s chest.

The tiny girl noticed that the woman's heart sounded funny. The woman told her she has a problem with her heart.

The child accurately detected the cardiac irregularity.

Without an electrocardiogram.
Without an echocardiogram.
Without an exercise cardiac stress test.
Without a cardiac CT scan.
Without a coronary angiogram.
Without magnetic resonance imaging.
Without an ambulatory rhythm monitoring test.

The symbolism is haunting.

Children can often sense goodness or wickedness. They "see" everything.

This anecdote is reminiscent of how a person can have a perfectly healthy heart per clinical standards, and yet have a “heart of stone” (Ezekiel 36:26 NRSVCE).

Clearly, the opposite was the case here of my friend who held the child. 

“At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants…’” (Matthew 11:25 NRSVCE)

Often before Communion I pray silently, “Oh my Jesus, hold my head against thy beating Sacred Heart.” I imagine my ear up pressed up against His chest so I can hear His Sacred Heart beating…

…That I am safe in His arms—like a child.