June and the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Do not be afraid to be pious [Catholic/Orthodox caucus]

What Does The Prayer Really Say? ^ | June 1, 2011 | Father John Zuhlsdorf

[sayuncledave]

Just a reminder that the month of June is traditionally dedicated to foster devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

You might give consideration to what you may do in your own devotional practices.

Don’t be afraid to be pious.

We lose nothing in being devout and we gain ineffable benefits.

Do not be afraid to bend yourself down before God especially and also to the angels and saints our intercessors and patrons and be simply pious. Man was made to be pious. This is the essence of religion, without which we are empty shells: to give due reverence to God. The sin of our first parents came from trying to be the opposite of pious: self-sufficient self-gods. That was defiance of due piety. But people can drift into the same emptiness of life by neglect of piety and devotion, neglect of fostering the habits of devotion.

Consider the benefits of devotion for a moment, and then consider the downside of being – not impious, in the sense of being wicked – but slothful and haphazard and lukewarm.

How did our Lord describe the fate of the tepid? It wasn’t good.

On the other hand, if you are hesitant about the notion of piety, and what you know is going to be the result – giving up things that are incompatible with true piety – here is something from Benedict XVI’s sermon for his inaugural Mass in 2005.

“Are we not perhaps all afraid in some way? If we let Christ enter fully into our lives, if we open ourselves totally to him, are we not afraid that He might take something away from us? Are we not perhaps afraid to give up something significant, something unique, something that makes life so beautiful? Do we not then risk ending up diminished and deprived of our freedom? And once again the Pope said: No! If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great.”

To develop a habit, and being pious and devout is a habit, start small.

First, examine your conscience daily, in the evening, looking not just for sins you committed, but also how you sinned by omission. That is where we ferret out our negligence in regard to the virtue of religion, negligence in respect to God and to neighbor.

Second, during the day, silently to yourself, perhaps say a brief prayer. Pick one. How about, “Jesus, meek and humble of heart: Make my heart like unto Thine.” That just drips with in-your-face piety, doesn’t it? That little prayer has it all. And no one need know you have ever said it, unless you are reciting the Litany of the Sacred Heart. Which brings me to the …

Third, find out opportunities for public devotions and start attending. Never mind that they are unfamiliar.

Just start with that.

[sayuncledave]

"We lose nothing in being devout and we gain ineffable benefits."

Amen. When I read this, I knew that I must take this to heart, myself, and thought to share with you, as well. God bless.

[freedumb2003]

>>Do not be afraid to bend yourself down before God especially and also to the angels and saints our intercessors and patrons and be simply pious. <<

It saved Indiana Jones’ head... ;)

Seriously, piety comes from humility and we are all humble before God.

(also note: in the Latin alphabet, “Jehovah” begins with an “I.” — according to the movie, I haven’t double checked...)

[sayuncledave]

bibletruth, I respect your different opinion, and I ask that you respect mine. All can be more pious and reverent. I know that I certainly wish to be more so. If you wish, you may take up your dispute with the author’s verbiage on his website. I wish you a pleasant thursday, either way.

[Ransomed]

Thanks for posting!

Freegards

[Salvation]

 

 

"Behold this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth."

- Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary

Our Lord also made 12 promises to St. Margaret Mary for those that are devoted to His Sacred Heart.

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
2. I will give peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honoured.
10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour.

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[Rashputin]

"But…"bend", i.e., "bow" down also to the angels and saints OUR intercessors ! There is Scripture that warns against bend/bow down to angels, as we read concerning "bending" down also to the angels:

That's a really interesting perspective for someone who is either Orthodox or Catholic to post on a Caucus thread. What does your parish priest think of your opinion?

[Religion Moderator]

This Religion Forum thread is labeled “Catholic/Orthodox Caucus” meaning if you are not currently, actively either Catholic or Orthodox then do not post on this thread.