“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Mt. 11: 28-30
These words of Jesus are an always welcome reminder in the midst of our chaotic and busy schedules. The Church dedicates the month of June to the Sacred Heart of Christ. Tomorrow, Friday, is the special liturgical feast day in honor of the Sacred Heart. If we want to have the rest that Christ promises, we need to “learn from him.” Our lives are a constant call to make our hearts more like his. One way to do this is to reflect on some of the different aspects of what we can learn from Jesus’ heart. During this month, I will share some quick reflections on the heart of Christ that you may find helpful.
Today – magnanimity. Christ’s heart was focused on great things, on what is true, beautiful, good, excellent. He was someone who sought to bring out the best in others. Petty jealousies, resentments, anger and impatience were not to be found in Him. A lot of these bad habits begin in our hearts. While everyone has shortcomings, by focusing on the good qualities and virtues of others in our thoughts and words, we can grow in these aspects and improve our relationships with God and others.
About Fr. Charles Sikorsky, LC
President, Institute for the Psychological Sciences
www.ipsciences.edu
Fr. Charles came to the Institute for the Psychological Sciences in 2007, after finishing his Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. His thesis focused on various issues relating to the legal compatibility of the observance of Canon Law and Ex Corde Ecclesiae by Catholic universities in the United States of America. He also has degrees in philosophy and theology from the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Atheneum.
A native of Baltimore, MD, Fr. Charles graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law, where he founded Law Students for Life. He received a B.A. in political economy from The Johns Hopkins University where he also played college basketball. He is a graduate of Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, MD, where he played on the 1981-82 National Championship high school basketball team.
He practiced law for two years before joining the Legionaries of Christ in 1992. He did a four year apostolic internship in South America, working in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. He also spent nine years in Rome for study and ministry. He was ordained a priest in 2002.
The Institute for the Psychological Sciences is a Catholic graduate school of Psychology in Arlington, VA, offering Master’s and Doctoral degrees in psychology. The mission of the Institute is to harmonize the science of psychology with the Christian vision of the person and his or her dignity. Its programs enable graduates to grasp all the complexities of the human person, including the transcendent, spiritual and moral dimensions, so that they can help their patients to flourish as individuals created and loved by God.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Mt. 11: 28-30