Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 06-15-12, Solemnity, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 06-15-12 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

June 15, 2012

 

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

 

Reading 1 Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9

Thus says the LORD:
When Israel was a child I loved him,
out of Egypt I called my son.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
who took them in my arms;
I drew them with human cords,
with bands of love;
I fostered them like one
who raises an infant to his cheeks;
Yet, though I stooped to feed my child,
they did not know that I was their healer.

My heart is overwhelmed,
my pity is stirred.
I will not give vent to my blazing anger,
I will not destroy Ephraim again;
For I am God and not a man,
the Holy One present among you;
I will not let the flames consume you.

Responsorial Psalm Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6.

R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Reading 2 Eph 3:8-12, 14-19

Brothers and sisters:
To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given,
to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery
hidden from ages past in God who created all things,
so that the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known through the church
to the principalities and authorities in the heavens.
This was according to the eternal purpose
that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
in whom we have boldness of speech
and confidence of access through faith in him.

For this reason I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,
so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Gospel Jn 19:31-37

Since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs,
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
and immediately blood and water flowed out.
An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true;
he knows that he is speaking the truth,
so that you also may come to believe.
For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled:
Not a bone of it will be broken.
And again another passage says:
They will look upon him whom they have pierced.

[Salvation]

 

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for June 15, 2012:

(Reader’s Tip) Spend time every day thinking of reasons you love your spouse. You’ll never struggle to remember why you married him or her.

[Salvation]

Vultus Christi

Reparation

By

Father Mark

 on June 14, 2012 11:39 AM |

 

Prayer of Reparation to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus

O Lord Jesus Christ present in this wonderful sacrament,
I desire at this hour to make reparation to Thy Eucharistic Heart
and to open myself to Thy Love
for the sake of priests grown lukewarm in Thy friendship
and for those who refuse or ignore it.

Increase Thou my faith,
that I may believe firmly
in the truths and mysteries Thou hast revealed to Thy Church,
for the sake of those who do not believe.

By my attention to Thy Eucharistic Heart,
I desire to make up for indifference to Thy Love,
for coldness, and for irreverence in Thy sacramental presence.

By my gratitude to Thy Eucharistic Heart,
I desire to make up for ingratitude toward Thee
Who remainest hidden and forgotten
in the tabernacles of so many locked churches.

By my trust in Thy Eucharistic Heart,
permit me, sinner though I am ,
to make up for those who do not trust Thee,
for those who are afraid to trust Thee, and for those whose trust in Thy Love
has been weakened by sins of scandal,
by the weight of life's hardships,
or by the painful losses they have endured.

By my hope in Thy Eucharistic Heart,
I desire to help those tempted to despair of Thy Mercy.
Allow me, I beseech Thee,
to hope for those who have no hope
and, because Thou didst pour out Thy Blood for them,
let not one of them be lost (cf. Jn 17:12).

In spite of my weakness and inconstancy,
I desire, by this humble act of reparation
to obtain for all who yearn for Thy friendship,
a share in the unspeakable sweetness
experienced by Thy beloved disciple Saint John
when he rested his head upon Thy Heart
on the night before Thy Sacred Side was opened by the soldier's lance.

By surrendering myself to the Love of Thy Eucharistic Heart,
grant that I might serve to repair
the brokenness of those who, among Thy priests,
are the most wounded and fragile.

By the mysterious workings of Thy Holy Spirit,
and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
let the prayer of reparation and adoration
Thou hast inspired me to offer in Thy presence
bring reconciliation to those alienated from Thy Church,
healing to souls in need of Thy mercy,
and choice graces to all Thy priests. Amen.

[Salvation]

Vultus Christi

This One Thing Does Love Ask

By

Father Mark

 on June 14, 2012 8:06 PM |

After Longinus had done his work
and done it well,
wielding the lance
to open with iron the floodgates of flesh,
there came a gushing torrent.
The waters of a river gave joy to God’s city (cf. Ps 45:5).
He, the One lifted up, poured out His heart like water (cf. Lam 2:19).
“He who saw it has borne witness;
his testimony is true” (Jn 19:35).

Zechariah’s prophecy was wondrously fulfilled:
“On that day there shall be a fountain opened
for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem
to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness” (Zech 13:1).
“O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps 50:9).

Ruby blood and water “bright as crystal” (Rev 22:1) flowed
burning like fire
washing in its tide,
and quenching the thirst of the few
who stood watching,
waiting in the shadow of Love’s outstretched wings.
“Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother,
and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene” (Jn 19:25),
and “the disciple whom He loved” (Jn 19:26).

“They shall look on Him whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37; Zech 12:10).
Looking, they saw the bloody gash
and found the open door.
“I, through the greatness of Your mercy
have access to Your house.
I bow down before Your holy temple,
filled with awe” (Ps 5:8).
“There is one thing I ask of the Lord, this I seek,
to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life . . .
to behold His temple” (Ps 26:4).

The arms of Love flung wide
and nailed there upon the tree
disarmed the cherubim.
The spear was raised to heaven
and, for a moment, flashed bright against the darkling sky.
A single thrust
and the “flaming sword which, at the entrance of the garden,
turned every way” (Gen 3:24)
was wrested by weakness from strong angelic hands
and hid again within its sheath.

The gates forbidden
became the open portal,
the lover’s embrace,
the safeway, the only way,
for no one comes to the Father (cf. Jn 14:6)
except through this door’s threshold
of given-flesh and outpoured-blood.
Here David’s song reveals the mystery:
the house become a heart,
the heart become a house.
“It was there that Your people found a home,
prepared in Your goodness, O God, for the poor” (Ps 67:11).

“Go out quickly to the streets
and lanes of the city,
and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame” (Lk 14:21).
“Go out to the highways and hedges,
and compel people to come in” (Lk 14:23)
that my house, my heart, may be filled.
“The lost I will seek out,
the strayed I will bring back,
the injured I will bind up,
the sick I will heal” (Ez 34:16).

Cross the threshold by night
with faith’s unseen feet;
with hope a lamp for your steps,
enter by desire;
dwell therein by love,
and with John the beloved and those of his lineage
“have power to comprehend
what is the breadth and length
and height and depth,
and know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge
to be filled with all the fullness of God” (cf. Eph 3:18-19).

The pierced Heart
is Love’s last proof.
“For while we were still weak,
while we were yet sinners” (cf. Rom 5:6, 8),
the door was opened in Love’s side.
Plunge then, fearless, into the tide of water and of blood.
Wash your soul’s disfigured face
in the torrent of purity that to the image restores likeness,
giving loveliness to the unlovely,
There every bruise is bathed in love;
there, every old, unsightly thing
made fresh, and new.
This is love’s reparation,
for only love can repair what Love has made.
“Behold,” Love says, “I make all things new” (Rev 21:5).

Love’s joy is the one sheep
sought and found and prized above all others
“on a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Ez 34:12),
Love’s joy is Love’s Heart
opened for the sake of all,
inhabited by the foolish to shame the wise,
and by the weak to shame the strong (cf. 1 Cor 1:27).
Love chose “what is low and despised in the world,
even things that are not” (1 Cor 1:28)
and in these is the mercy of His Heart displayed.

Others come knocking, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us”
but their greatness, their shining certitudes,
not their sins, prevent their entering in.
“Truly, I say to you, I do not know you” (Mt 25:12)
who have not known my Heart of mercy,
who have not needed my repairing,
nor known nor believed in love (cf. 1 Jn 4:16).

Only this one thing does Love ask:
that, “out of the depths” (Ps 129:1), we believe in Love,
and, preserved by Love,
never despair of Mercy’s Heart.
These are “thoughts of His Heart to all generations” (Ps 32:11).
Come, then, to the water that washes every impurity
and quenches every thirst.
Come, be repaired, restored in the Blood.
If you would be delivered from death, come (cf. Ps 32:19).
If you would be fed in famine, come (cf. Ps 32:19).
If you would be loved, come.

Just as Love withheld nothing of His Heart
in the sacrifice offered once from the Cross
so now, does Love withhold nothing of His Heart
in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,
nothing from the Father,
nothing from us.
All is given,
and in this is the mystery of the Sacred Heart.

[Salvation]

Vultus Christi

Thou hast set Thy Heart on us

By

Father Mark

 on June 14, 2012 8:43 PM |

Thou hast set Thy Heart on us (cf. Dt 7:7)
that we might set our hearts on Thee.
In this is consecration,
not that that we have consecrated ourselves to Thee,
but that Thou hast set Thy Heart on us.
"For their sake," Thou didst say,
"I consecrate Myself,
that they also may be consecrated in truth" (Jn 17:19).

This the Beloved Disciple understood
not by any labour of the mind
but by the resting his head
on the Heart of the Lamb.
"In this is charity,
not as though we had loved God,
but because He hath first loved us,
and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 Jn 4:10).

This he learned
not by searching far and wide,
but by abiding with Mary near the cross,
there to gaze on the "One whom they have pierced" (Jn 19:37).
This he learned, John the eagle,
gazing unblinking into the Sun
that rose each day before his eyes
in the Breaking of the Bread.
"This is My Body which is given for you.
Do this for a commemoration of Me.
In like manner the chalice also,
after He had supped, saying:
'This is the Chalice, the new testament in my blood,
which shall be shed for you'" (Lk 22:19-20).

Teach us, John of the seeing heart,
how to gaze with unveiled faces
on the Face here veiled,
that we may discern in the Bread broken and given
the Eucharistic Heart, the water and the blood (cf. Jn 19:34).

He who gazes
is drawn into mysteries hidden from the wise and clever,
to "what no eye hath seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man conceived,
what things God hath prepared for those who love him" (1 Cor 2:9).
These things children understand
and those who like them
gaze through the crystal of a pure heart.
For this is given the water and the blood
that we with eyes bathed in light
might look upon the Sacred Host
and see the Face, the Heart of Love.

"Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden"
--Love's invitation --
"and I will refresh you" (Mt 11:28).
No crushing deity here.
No annihilating power.
Here lies bare the weakness of Love
and the meekness of one Humble unto death.

Love waits
not for our gaze alone
but for the "Yes" of hearts already claimed by Love.
On us He hath set his heart,
the Pierced One, the Victim and the Priest.
Amen, Alleluia.

[Salvation]

Vultus Christi

Priests in pilgrimage to Your Heart

By

Father Mark

 on June 14, 2012 9:05 PM | 

 

I preached this homily to the Reverend Fathers of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska, to mark the closing of the Year of the Priest on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, 11 June 2010.

And now, already, we have crossed the threshold,
not only of Your feast, but also of Your mystery,
O Pierced One.
For four days we, Your priests, have been in pilgrimage to Your Heart.
It was the light of Your Eucharistic Face that drew us on,
compelling us, impelling to seek in its radiance
the wound in Your side.

Now before us lies the door
opened not by the turn of a key
but by the thrust of a lance,
and beyond the door the abode of love.
"He has brought me to the banqueting house,
and is banner over me was love" (Ct 2:4).

We opened our breviaries to First Vespers
and found there not the mere form of words
but the traces of a burning, blazing Word
-- Your Heart --
and beneath the text
embers glowing
waiting to be fanned again into flame
by a mingling of Spirit-Breath with ours,
breath well spent in the chants of Your Church.

The Spirit came again to the help of our weakness,
loosing our tongues for the praise of Love wounded and wounding,
teaching Love's own language:
strange to those in exile from Your Heart
but now become -- O wonder!--
our native tongue.

Strange and blessed
this language of Your Church,
spilling fire in antiphons
and rivers of light in psalms,
infusing Your prayer, O Christ, Eternal Son, Eternal Priest
-- nothing less than that --
into all of us who know not how to pray as we ought.

Your Heart's prayer
poured into every aching emptiness of ours.
Your Heart's song
rising in our silence.
Your Heartbeat
making us bold
by a gift of words not of our making.
And in those words Heart speaks to heart.

In them
Your Heart speaks to the Father;
and the Father's heart to yours.
In them Your Heart sings to Your Church, Your Bride;
and her heart sings to yours.
This is Love's exchange,
hidden from the learned and the clever
but revealed to little ones,
splashed like pure water on the lips of children
to delight the Father
and to fall all shining onto the cracked and dusty face
of a world grown old in thirst.

You stood up once
as you stand before us now,
-- it was the last day of the feast, the great day --
and cried out, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink;
out of His heart shall flow rivers of living water" (cf. Jn 7:37-38).
You said this about the Spirit
that blazes from Your face --
and rushes from Your open side
in water and in blood.

Where is the heart held aloft,
the heart become a chalice to catch the torrent in its flow?
Where are hands to press that chalice
to the lips of those who, with weary step,
return from empty cisterns?
My heart?
For this I give it
and for this I give my hands.
My heart to cup the flow of love,
my hands to tip the chalice.

It is Your Face, O Christ, that we came seeking,
the Face that sought us first,
Your Eucharistic Face seen now as through a glass darkly,
a polished monstrance crystal cut by faith.
And we all, with unveiled face,
beholding Your glory veiled here,
are being changed into Your likeness (cf. 2 Cor 3:18)
and drawn beyond the threshold wound,
Your Heart's pierced portal.
"Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away." (Ct 2:13-14).

It is time for us to be like the nesting dove
time for us to spread our wings
and, lifted by the Spirit, to hide in the cleft of the rock.
There, "they shall hunger no more,
neither thirst any more;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat" (Rev 7:16).
Pass through the narrow gate.

Priests, apostles of the Sacred Heart,
sent out from that secret place,
be a dove made white in the Blood,
and like the dove, after every mission far-flung or near
to it return to be silent and adore.

Adorers of the Sacred Heart
we will all of us be in the end
for adoration will have the last word
as it must have the first.
"The hour is coming and now is,
when the true adorers shall adore the Father
in spirit and in truth,
for such the Father seeks to adore Him" (Jn 4:23).

Adoration then will be the only word,
an ocean of light dissolving every other discourse
and bathing a broken world
in the healing water and the cleansing blood.
"And He who sat upon the throne said,
'Behold, I make all things new'" (Rev 21:5).

"And they shall see His face,
and His name shall be on their foreheads.
And night shall be no more;
they need no light of lamp or sun,
for the Lord God will be their light" (Rev 22:4-5).
O Eucharist, Sun of Life,
radiating the Heart's flame of fire!
O Host burning and yet not consumed!

"And Moses hid his face,
for he was afraid to look at God" (Ex 3:6)?
Gentle Christ, humble hidden Bread,
to look at you is all refreshment.
Irresistible God.

"After this I looked,
and lo, in the heaven an open door!
And the voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said,
'Come up hither'" (Rev 4:1).

And I looked and looked
and looked at Him whom they have pierced (cf. Zech 12:10).
"And the angel who talked with me came again,
and waked me, like a man that is wakened out of his sleep.
And he said to me, 'What do you see?'" (Zech 4:1-2).
"A Eucharistic Face," I said,
"and an Open Heart."

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

Look at the Heart That Has Loved So

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

 John 19:31-37

Since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: Not a bone of it will be broken. And again another passage says: They will look upon him whom they have pierced.

Introductory Prayer: Come Holy Spirit and fill my heart with love for you. Gentle Guest of My Soul, enlighten me so that I may truly understand Christ’s love for me. I am not worthy of this love, but I do implore your mercy.

Petition: God, grant me to better exercise charity towards those around me.

1. Behold the Heart That Loved Until Death: The crucifixion of Christ is the event that “expresses with stunning clarity how Jesus is a symbol of contradiction. In fact, people line up on two sides: those who adore him and those who mock him.… It is the most sublime school of love: in sorrow, Jesus forgives those who have made him suffer, responding to evil with good” (Pope John Paul II, March 12, 1989). Today we contemplate that heart which loves us infinitely –– not only then but also now. Lord, thank you for your love. Teach me to reciprocate that love.

2. Look upon the Pierced One: As Christ was dying, the soldiers and rulers of the people mocked him as they were disappointed in their expectations. The people, on the other hand, looked on. Of the criminals crucified with him, one mocked him while the other one entrusted himself totally to his love and mercy. Each of us who looks upon the Pierced One looks upon him in a different way, but there will always be a choice to make: love him or mock him. Lord, I love you; help me grow in love for you.

3. Christ Raises the Bar: Just as Jesus surrenders himself to the Father’s will, so too, we must surrender ourselves if we want to show our gratitude. After contemplating Christ’s love, we cannot go on loving the same as before. Every day we need to grow in love and appreciation for what Christ has done for me. We were like birds caught in a trap, and now we are free. Freely we need to communicate this love to all mankind through prayer, words and our example. Ask Christ for the decision to do whatever it takes to communicate his love to those around you.

Dialogue with Christ: Lord, on this feast of your Sacred Heart, I see your love for all mankind. Grant me the grace to love a little more like you since you once told me, “love one another as I have loved you” (Cf. John 15:12). Without your grace I cannot do this. I beg you for the grace of growing in love.

Resolution: I will be patient with the members of my family.

[Salvation]

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

• Homily of the Day
• June 15th, 2012
• Fr. Rodney Kissinger, S.J.

First Reading: Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9

Psalm: Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

Second Reading: Eph 3:8-12, 14-19

Gospel: Jn 19:31-37

Before the beginning of time, before creation, God existed all alone. The love of God was the only love there was then. The love of God is the only love there is now. And the love of God is the only love there will ever be. We are not creators we are only receivers and transmitters of the love of God. And we can transmit only as much as we receive. To tell us of His love, God sent his only Son. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus is the greatest expression of the love of God for us and the greatest expression of the human response to that love.

Jesus was divine, the Son of God. He was also human, the son of Mary. He spoke with divine authority but he spoke in human language. He spoke in the simple language of ordinary people of his day about the things they were most familiar with: the birds of the air, the lilies of the field, the sower and the seed, the vine and the branches. When he wanted to tell his apostles how important they were he said that they were the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth.” And when he wanted to tell us of God’s love for us he used the heart, the human symbol of love. He told us that we should learn of him that he was meek and humble of heart and we would find rest for our souls.

The contemporaries of Jesus knew this meek and humble heart of Jesus and they knew that it beat with unconditional love for them. Rough, simple fishermen leave their boats and nets to follow him. Learned doctors sit at his feet to hear his wisdom. A tax collector leaves his money table to become his disciple. Multitudes follow him for days, so captivated that they forget to provide food to eat. The sick fight their way through the crowds just to touch the hem of his garment. And they all found peace and rest for their souls.

Never before has the unconditional love of the Sacred Heart been as relevant as it is today. We live in the information-centered society of the World Wide Web and the Internet. There is a lust for knowledge. This “info mania” has produced an unbelievable amount of information and data all of which can be stored on a small silicon chip and called forth at will. We can no longer see the forest for the trees. The sheer volume of all of this information has made this the age of the digest, the logo and the symbol.

Theologians are saying that amid the chaos it is necessary to capture the transcendent in a symbol that is relevant for you; in other words to capture the unconditional love of God in a symbol that is relevant for me. Jesus has already done this for us in his Sacred Heart. “Learn of me that I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your soul.”

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the symbol of the fidelity of the love of God. It reminds us that God loves us unconditionally with a love we cannot earn or ever be worthy of. And he loves us for ourselves, not as we should be, or possibly could be, but as we are with all of the physical warts, psychological quirks and spiritual infidelities.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is most relevant today because not only is this the information-centered society, but it is also an age of anxiety, fear, insecurity and despair. Every year more than a million and a half Americans suffer heart attacks. Heart failure is the leading cause of death in America today. Heart failure is also the most avoidable cause of death because long before the patient is rushed to the emergency room trouble has been going on in the heart: in the fearful heart, the anxious heart, the discouraged heart, the lonely heart, the rejected heart, the angry heart and the sinful heart. The root cause of all of this heart trouble is the failure to know and trust the meek and humble Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“Jesus, meek and humble of heart make our hearts like unto Thine.”

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Friday, June 15, 2012 >>

Sacred Heart Saint of the Day

Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8-9
Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19
View Readings

Isaiah 12:2-6
John 19:31-37

THE LOOK OF LOVE

"They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced." —John 19:37

 

"God is Love" (1 Jn 4:16). This is the most fundamental revelation from God. "We, for our part, love because He first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19). First of all, we must know that God loves us.

However, we have great difficulty believing in God's love for us. Although He draws us "with human cords, with bands of love," and although He stoops to feed and heal us (see Hos 11:4), we may not believe He loves us. Even when God became a human being and proved His love by dying on the cross for us (Rm 5:8), we denied, ignored, and questioned His love.

The Lord has sent apostles, prophets, preachers, and teachers to proclaim His love (see Eph 4:11). These proclamations have been like a two-edged sword, which penetrated, divided, and judged the thoughts and reflections of our hearts (Heb 4:12). In this way, many people have come to believe in God's love for them and begin to live a new life of love.

Probably the most effective proclamation of God's love for each of us is the prophetic vision of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Look at a picture of the Sacred Heart. "Thus you will be able to grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge, so that you may attain to the fullness of God Himself" (Eph 3:18-19). Look daily at a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Believe that He loves you.

 

Prayer: Father, on this world day of prayer for the sanctification of priests, let priests know, give, and preach Your love as never before.

Promise: "My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred." —Hos 11:8

Praise: Norm gives pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to newly married couples as his way of bringing Jesus into their homes.

[Salvation]

 

Celebrate the Sanctity of Life!

[Salvation]

Archdiocese of Washington

Love Conquers All – A Short Meditation on the Feast of the Sacred Heart

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a feast which celebrates a love that conquers evil by the sheer acts of love and mercy. More on that in a moment.

I am afraid that, growing up as a boy and later as a young man, I found the devotion to the Sacred Heart came off as syrupy and sentimental. I hope I do not offend but I must say that some of the images of the Sacred Heart present Jesus in an almost feminized manner. His long locks of flowing blondish hair, red lips and an almost “come hither” look were bothersome to me. (For example: HERE & HERE & HERE & HERE) Such qualities look fine on a woman, but not a man.

Again, I hope this does not offend. There are surely good depictions of the Sacred Heart out there, I just think some are in bad taste, at least from my perspective as a man. I realize especially that many women do not share my view of such art.

But, beyond sentiment this a serious feast. It took time for me, growing up to understand that the devotion to the Sacred Heart was not simply to be identified with the art I saw. Yes, Jesus has a strong, manly and loving heart too, he had a courageous will to save rooted in love. He never hesitated to speak the truth in love. He loved us enough to warn us of sin, and call us to repent. He loved us enough to summon us to sacrifice and taught us that the greatest love was to lay down your life for others. He loved us unto the end, dying for us to bring us salvation, consolation and peace.

In the end it was not nails that held him to the cross but love, love for the Father, and love for us. The heart of Jesus contains not just a sentimental love, but a saving and summoning love. His heart is strong and spacious, vigorous and victorious. And his love alone is powerful enough to drive back sin and restore grace. For some reason I am mindful of the Words of Dr. Martin Luther King who sad: Darkness cannot conquer darkness, only light can do that and hatred cannot conquer hatred, only love can do that.

And his love conquers in this paradoxical way for it ends the cycle of violence by not returning violence. It ends the cycle of retribution by not paying back, but by forgiving gratuitously. It is ends the cycle of hatred by returning love in the face of hatred. For the Lord’s love stands its ground and will not be drawn into the world of hatred and revenge, will not be defined by them or succumb to their demand to act on their terms. Love conquers simply by being love.

The video you are about to see is the furthest thing from sentimental. It is from the passion of the Christ and shows the moment of Christ’s death.

But notice how, in the video, love conquers. Shortly after Christ’s death, a soldier thrusts open Christ’s side and reveals the very Heart of God. The way the movie depicts it, Christ’s love, his Holy Spirit almost explodes from his side. And this love “confuses the proud in their inmost thoughts” and “lifts up the lowly.” The Temple leaders are in confusion, the Roman guards are in flight. But Mary, John and Mary are at peace beneath the Cross of Christ. His heart has been revealed. They know his love and are at home with it.  Christ’s vigorous love makes Satan howl in frustration and defeat.

Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart. May you know the tender and powerful love of Christ.

[Salvation]

Archdiocese of Washington

Sacred Heart of Jesus

By: Susan Timoney

This entry was written by Sr. Mary Dolora Keating, R.S.M., Delegate for Consecrated Life, Archdiocese of Washington.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

 Blessed Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

I would like to present 3 points for your reflection as we participate in the 50^th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, Ireland:  1) the Theme of the Eucharistic Congress for this Solemnity; 2) Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and 3) Devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist.

The Theme

Today is the 5^th Day of the Eucharist Congress in Dublin, Ireland which, as you know, has the theme of, “Communion in Suffering and in Healing.”  The daily congress theme informs both the presentation/workshops and Liturgies of each day.

In his words of Welcome at the Opening Mass, His Excellency Most Reverend Diarmud Martin, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland said that “. . . the Church in Ireland is suffering” and that each member may, in this time of prayer at the Congress, turn to the Lord who will renew, heal, and strengthen them in their faith.  He reminded us that the graces flowing from this Sacrament would offer the members of the Catholic Church in Ireland the love, peace, hope and courage to accept their own share in suffering at this time. 

 Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,

And let the one who believes in Me drink.”  John 7:37

The mystery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is both gift and choice.  This gift given by Jesus Christ requires an assent of faith both to come to the Sacred Heart and then to drink of the Precious Blood pouring forth from His Pierced Heart on the cross.  Will we allow Christ and His Love to be the primary Mover in our heart?  Will we allow Him to reveal all that hinders this intimate exchange and then do all we can to protect, preserve and nourish this life of grace within us?  May all else be secondary to receiving Christ’s Love from this wondrous Fount of our Salvation! 

 Pope Pius XII wrote in the Encyclical, Haurietis Aquas, On Devotion to the Sacred Heart, of 1956 the following:

 “. . .it is beyond question that this devotion is an act of religion of high order; it demands of us a complete and unreserved determination to devote and consecrated ourselves to the love of the divine Redeemer, Whose wounded Heart is its living token and symbol” [P. 6].

 It is a great gift that this Solemnity occurs during the 50^th International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin, Ireland.  Through the fervent participation in this marvelous devotion, may many graces be bestowed upon the Church of Ireland.  At His General Audience on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, asked all members of the Church to pray for the success of the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin as he said,

 “I invite you to remain spiritually united to Christians in Ireland and the world, praying for the work of the congress, that the Eucharist may always be the pulsating heart of all church life.”

 Devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist

 Because the Congress Theme of this day is “Communion in Suffering and in Healing,” I will address briefly how the Blessed Sacrament is a great remedy for our hearts most in need of healing.

We often say to one another, “I will pray for you.”  This is most fitting for us to pray both for the living and deceased.  We also ask the saints’ intercession for particular needs.  It is noteworthy, however, to recall that the Blessed Sacrament is the actual Presence of God without any intermediary.  He alone can heal our every infirmity of mind, soul or spirit.

St. Thomas Aquinas teaches in Summa Theologiae, III, q. 73, art. 1, that, as in the body, it is necessary that our physical life be maintained through nourishment, so too, in the spirit, our life as adopted children of God must be nourished by the Holy Eucharist. As vegetative life needs nourishment both to be preserved and grow, so too does our spiritual life need food to sustain the life given us in Baptism and called to the perfection of growth through the Sacrament of Confirmation.

 I close with the prayer to the Most Blessed Sacrament recited customarily at the North American College in Rome,

 “May the Heart of Jesus

In the Most Blessed Sacrament

Be Praised, Adored, and Loved

With Grateful Affection

At every moment

In all the Tabernacles of the world

Now, and until the end of time. 

Amen.”

 We thank sister for the photos as well!

[Salvation]

Infinite Source of Love

Infinite Source of Love

• Prayer
• June 15th, 2012
• Fr. Ed Broom

 

Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, Heart of Jesus Tabernacle of the Most High, Heart of Jesus , burning Furnace of charity, Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, Heart of Jesus patient and abounding in mercy, Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mary, Heart of Jesus, Salvation of all those who hope in you, Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints—- all of these most sublime expressions are gleaned from one of the most famous of all Litanies, the “Litany of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”.

 

Of all the Catholic devotions, devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, related intimately to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, ranks as one of the highest on the list of honor, devotion, and praise!

 

May is for Mary; October is the month of the Rosary; July, we honor the most Precious Blood of Jesus; November, in a special way, we pray for the deceased—the souls in Purgatory. However, June is the month, set apart for devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; and the 3^rd Friday in June is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; the Saturday following, is the Immaculate Heart of Mary.   The charism of the Dominicans is to spread devotion to the most Holy Rosary; the Jesuits have as one of their charisms, to make known and loved the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 

What might be specific ways that we personally can enhance and foster our love and devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus?    There are many symbols that point indirectly to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. However, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is still alive and pulsating—-of this, we will be speaking!   The symbol, of course, points to the Reality!

 

1.    STATUES OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS.  As Catholics, we draw close to the reality through the proper use of sacramentals.  A statue is not the reality, but it surely points to the reality. Contemplating a beautiful, graphic, realistic statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus can lift our minds and hearts to the Reality of Jesus.  Artistic beauty depicted of Jesus, in His symbol of love, can move our minds and hearts to love Him all the more.

 

2.    ENTHRONEMENT OF THE IMAGE/PICTURE OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS.   Many blessings are promised to the families that invite Jesus into their homes to be their King and the center of their family life.   A renewed effort must be undertaken to teach families, to prepare families to consecrate their children, lives, and salvation to the Most Sacred heart of Jesus.

 

3.     OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE.  By honoring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, indirectly we are honoring the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Why, you might ask?  The reason is the following: Our Lady of Guadalupe is pregnant— the black ribbon points to that in Mexican culture; therefore, the most Sacred heart of Jesus was beating in the womb of Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe.   By honoring the unborn Jesus, we honor all life, which is sacred, from the moment of conception until natural death!

 

4.    THE CROSS/CRUCIFIX— with the Body of Christ.    By contemplating the Body of Christ hanging from the cross, we also contemplate the wound in His Sacred side, from which flowed Blood and Water, from His wounded and opened Sacred Heart. (Jn. 19)

 

5.    THE IMAGE OF JESUS AND ST. MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE.    This artistic representation depicts Jesus, who appeared to this French nun in Paray le Monial, and revealed His desire that His Sacred Heart be honored, venerated and acts of Reparation be done to atone for sin and indifference.   Thanks to St. Margaret Mary and St. Claude de La Colombiere, the devotion to the Most Sacred heart of Jesus was accepted by the church and become a classical devotion for more than three hundred years.

 

6.     FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTIONS.   Jesus asked that He be honored in a special way on “The First Friday of the month” and for 9 consecutive months.  If done, Jesus promised extraordinary graces.

 

7.    THURSDAY NIGHT HOLY HOUR.  Jesus also encouraged this to be done in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament.  This brings us back to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus longed for company in His bitter agony.  “Could you not spend an hour with me”?

 

8.    BLESSED SACRAMENT/TABERNACLE.  The image of the Most Sacred Heart is a beautiful symbol of Jesus’ great love for us expressed in His loving Heart. However, truly present in every Tabernacle of the world, in the consecrated Hosts, Jesus is truly present in His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.  The “Total Christ” is truly present; therefore, His most Sacred Heart is truly present in every Tabernacle.  For that reason Pope John Paul II called the Tabernacle the living/pulsating Heart-beat of the Church.  We should all be drawn to this source of love and mercy like a magnet.  “Come to me all of you who are weary and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am meek and humble of Heart;  you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. “ (Mt. 11:28-30).

 

9.     MASS/HOLY COMMUNION AND THE SACRED HEART.   Of course, the greatest action we can do underneath heaven , showing immense  faith, love, devotion, and confidence in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is to attend Holy Mass, participate fully, actively and consciously, and then to receive Holy Communion.  By receiving Holy Communion, we receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  With this, of course, we receive His Most Sacred Heart.  If you like, by way of analogy, we have a “HEART TRANSPLANT!”  Jesus takes our heart and he gives us His own.  What an extraordinary exchange. His Sacred Heart is always compatible with ours; only need own factor: LOVE FROM OUR HEART!   Authentic devotion to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus will always draw us to Holy Mass, Holy Eucharist, and Holy Communion!

 

10. THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY.  It would be incomplete to honor and adore the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, if we neglected devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Indeed the Immaculate Heart of Mary formed the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in her most pure womb for nine months! For that reason, the Liturgical Feast days of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are back to back.  The Heart of Mary always leads us to the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

 

Father Ed Broom is an Oblate of the Virgin Mary. He blogs regularly at Fr. Broom's Blog.