The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Readings for The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
First Published: Friday, June 23, 2006
Bleeding Heart
Reflection:
Today we celebrate the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion, as a formal form of worship finds its roots back in 17th century France and was based upon the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. We follow this devotion today because of its relevancy. Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us:
478 Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me." He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, "is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception.
It is indeed the love of Christ we celebrate and give thanks for. It is his willing sacrifice for the sins of us all that reminds us that each time we consciously fail to love, as he loved, we wound that sacred heart. The devotion demands we give love for love and conform ourselves to His love.
I especially like what the Catholic Encyclopedia has to say about devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
This act is required by the very object of the devotion, since devotion to the love of Jesus for us should be pre-eminently a devotion of love for Jesus. It is characterized by a reciprocation of love; its aim is to love Jesus who has so loved us, to return love for love. Since, moreover, the love of Jesus manifests itself to the devout soul as a love despised and outraged, especially in the Eucharist, the love expressed in the devotion naturally assumes a character of reparation, and hence the importance of acts of atonement, the Communion of reparation, and compassion for Jesus suffering.
The image we are given from the Gospel is Christ, having died on the cross for us, is pierced, as we proclaim on Good Friday, for our offenses. Wounding that love he poured out for us as freely as the blood and water that flowed from his side.
Today our prayer can be taken from one of the many devotionals to the Sacred Heart as we remember the words of St. Margaret Mary:
"And He showed me that it was His great desire of being loved by men and of withdrawing them from the path of ruin into which Satan hurls such crowds of them, that made Him form the design of manifesting His Heart to men, with all the treasures of love, of mercy, of grace, of sanctification and salvation which it contains, in order that those who desire to render Him and procure for Him all the honor and love possible, might themselves be abundantly enriched with those divine treasures of which this Heart is the source.
He should be honored under the figure of this Heart of flesh, and its image should be exposed...He promised me that wherever this image should be exposed with a view to showing it special honor, He would pour forth His blessings and graces. This devotion was the last effort of His love that He would grant to men in these latter ages, in order to withdraw them from the empire of Satan which He desired to destroy, and thus to introduce them into the sweet liberty of the rule of His love, which He wished to restore in the hearts of all those who should embrace this devotion."..... "The devotion is so pleasing to Him that He can refuse nothing to those who practice it."
from Revelations of Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Pax
Readings for The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
First Published: Friday, June 23, 2006
Bleeding Heart
Reflection:
Today we celebrate the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion, as a formal form of worship finds its roots back in 17th century France and was based upon the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. We follow this devotion today because of its relevancy. Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us:
478 Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me." He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, "is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception.
It is indeed the love of Christ we celebrate and give thanks for. It is his willing sacrifice for the sins of us all that reminds us that each time we consciously fail to love, as he loved, we wound that sacred heart. The devotion demands we give love for love and conform ourselves to His love.
I especially like what the Catholic Encyclopedia has to say about devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
This act is required by the very object of the devotion, since devotion to the love of Jesus for us should be pre-eminently a devotion of love for Jesus. It is characterized by a reciprocation of love; its aim is to love Jesus who has so loved us, to return love for love. Since, moreover, the love of Jesus manifests itself to the devout soul as a love despised and outraged, especially in the Eucharist, the love expressed in the devotion naturally assumes a character of reparation, and hence the importance of acts of atonement, the Communion of reparation, and compassion for Jesus suffering.
The image we are given from the Gospel is Christ, having died on the cross for us, is pierced, as we proclaim on Good Friday, for our offenses. Wounding that love he poured out for us as freely as the blood and water that flowed from his side.
Today our prayer can be taken from one of the many devotionals to the Sacred Heart as we remember the words of St. Margaret Mary:
"And He showed me that it was His great desire of being loved by men and of withdrawing them from the path of ruin into which Satan hurls such crowds of them, that made Him form the design of manifesting His Heart to men, with all the treasures of love, of mercy, of grace, of sanctification and salvation which it contains, in order that those who desire to render Him and procure for Him all the honor and love possible, might themselves be abundantly enriched with those divine treasures of which this Heart is the source.
He should be honored under the figure of this Heart of flesh, and its image should be exposed...He promised me that wherever this image should be exposed with a view to showing it special honor, He would pour forth His blessings and graces. This devotion was the last effort of His love that He would grant to men in these latter ages, in order to withdraw them from the empire of Satan which He desired to destroy, and thus to introduce them into the sweet liberty of the rule of His love, which He wished to restore in the hearts of all those who should embrace this devotion."..... "The devotion is so pleasing to Him that He can refuse nothing to those who practice it."
from Revelations of Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Pax
posted by Deacon Jim | 2:12 AM
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