How Little Baby Isaac Touched My Heart

The month of June is the time when the Church asks us to think about the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The human heart can be compared to love. God became man so He could show us how much He loves us. “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus showed us how much He loved us by dying on the cross. His heart was persecuted for love of us.

I have been thinking about how much Jesus loves me. I had a two-year-old nephew named Isaac. People from all over the world were praying for him. When he was nine months old he caught RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). On the way to the hospital he died in his mother’s arms. About thirteen minutes after he died the doctors were able to bring him back to life. Isaac stayed in the hospital for an entire month. Mary, his mother and my sister-in-law, accompanied him in the hospital the entire time. He suffered significant brain damage.

Isaac was a very good-looking baby. He had a face that made you want to kiss him. Isaac loved to be held. I held Isaac so much that his mother called me his second mother. Of course I do have a Franciscan habit that looks like a dress!

When I held Isaac for hours at a time I would think about Jesus and Mary holding me. It all comes down to allowing God to love us. Most of the time we think we have to do good things so that God will love us. God wants to hold each one of us and love us. We need to let him just as Isaac was totally content in my arms. I learned so much by watching Isaac.

Greg, my brother and Isaac’s father, told me that Isaac wanted to sleep with his head on Greg’s heart. It looked uncomfortable but that was where he was content. Greg came to understand why Isaac loved this position. Isaac was listening to the heartbeat of his father. When we know we are loved we are at peace. If we want peace in our lives we should keep our head close to the heart of Jesus and Mary.

It all comes down to allowing God to love us. Most of the time we think we have to do good things so that God will love us. God wants to hold each one of us and love us.

Isaac was born on Good Friday. His mother and father thought God would do something great with little Isaac and God did. Because of EWTN and all the forms of media, God touched a large number of people with the adorable face of Isaac.

Greg and Mary want to thank everyone who has sent prayers and donations. Because God has used Isaac in two short years to touch so many people it is not possible for them to write back to everyone. EWTN reaches the whole world and they have secretaries to help them respond to all the mail. The donations are helping to pay all the doctor bills. My family thanks you from the bottom of their hearts.

Greg told me that having an extra fourteen months with Isaac was worth all the money in the world. The second time Isaac died, he died content and with a little smile on his face. This helped the family deal with his death.

Mother Angelica said many times that one soul saved is worth all the money it takes to run EWTN. As a baptized infant, Isaac went straight to heaven. Isaac and all the saints are trying to help everyone else get to heaven. This is what we are created for, to know, love, and serve God and to help others to do the same. Isaac did his part, now let us do our part.

– Br. Leo Mary, MFVA