June Devotion: The Sacred Heart

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of June is set apart for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. "From among all the proofs of the infinite goodness of our Savior none stands out more prominently than the fact that, as the love of the faithful grew cold, He, Divine Love Itself, gave Himself to us to be honored by a very special devotion and that the rich treasury of the Church was thrown wide open in the interests of that devotion." These words of Pope Pius XI refer to the Sacred Heart Devotion, which in its present form dates from the revelations given to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1673-75.

The devotion consists in the divine worship of the human heart of Christ, which is united to His divinity and which is a symbol of His love for us. The aim of the devotion is to make our Lord king over our hearts by prompting them to return love to Him (especially through an act of consecration by which we offer to the Heart of Jesus both ourselves and all that belongs to us) and to make reparation for our ingratitude to God.

INVOCATION

O Heart of love, I put all my trust in Thee; for I fear all things from my own weakness, but I hope for all things from Thy goodness.
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART

Devotion to the Sacred Heart was the characteristic note of the piety of Saint Gertrude the Great (1256-1302), Benedictine nun and renowned mystic. She was, in fact, the first great exponent of devotion to the Sacred Heart. In our efforts to honor the Heart of Jesus we have this prayer as a model for our own:
Hail! O Sacred Heart of Jesus, living and quickening source of eternal life, infinite treasure of the Divinity, and burning furnace of divine love. Thou art my refuge and my sanctuary, 0 my amiable Savior. Consume my heart with that burning fire with which Thine is ever inflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Thy love, and let my heart be so united with Thine, that our wills may be one, and mine in all things be conformed to Thine. May Thy divine will be equally the standard and rule of all my desires and of all my actions. Amen.
Saint Gertrude

FOR THE CHURCH

O most holy Heart of Jesus, shower Thy blessings in abundant measure upon Thy holy Church, upon the Supreme Pontiff and upon all the clergy; to the just grant perseverance; convert sinners; enlighten unbelievers; bless our relations, friends and benefactors; assist the dying; deliver the holy souls in purgatory; and extend over all hearts the sweet empire of Thy love. Amen.

A PRAYER OF TRUST

O God, who didst in wondrous manner reveal to the virgin, Margaret Mary, the unsearchable riches of Thy Heart, grant that loving Thee, after her example, in all things and above all things, we may in Thy Heart find our abiding home.
Roman Missal

ACT OF LOVE

Reveal Thy Sacred Heart to me, O Jesus, and show me Its attractions. Unite me to It for ever. Grant that all my aspirations and all the beats of my heart, which cease not even while I sleep, may be a testimonial to Thee of my love for Thee and may say to Thee: Yes, Lord, I am all Thine;
pledge of my allegiance to Thee rests ever in my heart will never cease to be there. Do Thou accept the slight amount of good that I do and be graciously pleased to repair all m] wrong-doing; so that I may be able to bless Thee in time and in eternity. Amen.
Cardinal Merry del Val

MEMORARE TO THE SACRED HEART
Remember, O most sweet Jesus, that no one who has had recourse to Thy Sacred Heart, implored its help, or sought its mercy was ever abandoned. Encouraged with confidence, O tenderest of hearts, we present ourselves before Thee, crushed beneath the weight of our sins. In our misery, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, despise not our simple prayers, but mercifully grant our requests. Amen.

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Only for Love: The Sacred Heart and the Priesthood [Catholic Caucus]

Catholic Word of the Day: LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART, 10-19-09
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Devotion to the Sacred Heart Today
The Biblical Foundation of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus [Ecumenical]
Heart to Heart (Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion) [St. Margaret Mary Alacoque]
(June) The Month of the Sacred Heart {Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus [St. Margaret Mary Alacoque]
The Heart of the World (On the Sacred Heart of Jesus) (Catholic Caucus)
The Sacred Heart Is The Holy Eucharist(Catholic Caucus)
The Origin of the Sacred Heart Badge

Importance of Devotion to the Sacred Heart
An Awesome Homily on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Father Edmond Kline
Catholic Prayer and Devotion: June the Month of the Sacred Heart
Catholic Devotions: Sacred Heart of Jesus
Pope Urges Jesuits to Spread Sacred Heart Devotion
Homilies preached by Father Altier on the Feast of the Sacred Heart
Catholic Meditation and Devotion: The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Daily Recomendation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus powerful prayer!
The Sacred Heart and the Eucharist
The Love of the Sacred Heart

On the Sacred Heart - "We Adore God's Love of Humanity"
HAURIETIS AQUAS (On Devotion To The Sacred Heart) - Encyclical by Pope Pius XII
Solemnity Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sacred Heart a Feast of God's Love, Says John Paul II
The Sacred Heart of Jesus: Symbol of Combativity and the Restoration of Christendom
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus-The Early Church, Middle Ages up to St. Margaret Mary
See this Heart
‘God Will Act and Will Reign’
About Devotion To The Sacred Heart:The Story Of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
Rediscover Feast of Sacred Heart, John Paul II Tells Youth

"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.

I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
I will give peace in their families.
I will console them in all their troubles.
They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
Tepid souls shall become fervent.
Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honoured.
I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.
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.

June, 2018

The Holy Father's Prayer Intention

Universal – Social Networks, That social networks may work towards that inclusiveness which respects others for their differences.

Daily Gospel Commentary

Sacred Heart of Jesus - Solemnity

Commentary of the day
Saint Bonaventure (1221-1274), Franciscan, Doctor of the Church
The mystical Vine no. 2

The heart’s wound

The soldiers not only pierced and penetrated through Jesus’s hands but also through his feet; the lance of their fury even pierced his side and, right to its depth, the sacred Heart already pierced by the lance of love.

“You have wounded my heart, my sister, my spouse; you have wounded my heart!” he said (Sg 4:9). O most loving Jesus, your bride, your sister, your friend having wounded your heart, was it really necessary that your enemies should also wound it in their turn? And you enemies of his, what do you think you are doing? If the heart of that most gentle Jesus is already wounded or, rather, since it is already wounded, why inflict another wound on it? Do you not know that at the first wound the heart became lifeless and, as it were, insensible?

The heart of my most sweet Lord Jesus has died because it has been wounded; a wound of love has overwhelmed the heart of Jesus our Spouse, a death of love has overcome it, so how can a second death enter in? Yet “Love is strong as death” (Sg 8:6), even more, it is truly stronger than death itself.

It is impossible to drive out the first death, that is to say the love of so many dead souls, from the heart it inhabits since its sovereign wound has conquered it. Out of two equally strong enemies, one inside the house and the other outside, who will doubt that the one within carries off the victory? See, then, how strong is love, which inhabits the heart and slays it with a wound of love, and this is true not only of the Lord Jesus but of his disciples too.

This is how the heart of the Lord Jesus was first wounded and died: “For you we are slain all the day long, considered only as sheep to be slaughtered” (Ps 23[44]:23). Nevertheless, bodily death takes place and triumphs for a season but only in order to be overcome for eternity.

'My crucified Jesus, I protest that I desire not the things of the earth; for Thou alone suffices! for me, Thou alone, my God and my All!'

St. Paul of the Cross

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

Information: St. Medard

Feast Day: June 8

Born: 456 at Salency, Picardy, France

Died: 8 June 545 at Noyon, France

Major Shrine: Abbey of Saint-Médard, Soissons, France

Patron of: the weather; invoked against toothache

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Friday, June 8

Liturgical Color: Green

St. Medard died on this day in
545 A.D. He was named a
bishop but because of his
humility was reluctant to accept
the appointment. He was so
successful that he was given
charge of a neighboring diocese,
still maintaining his humbleness.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: June 8th

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

MASS READINGS

June 08, 2018 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who glory in the Heart of your beloved Son and recall the wonders of his love for us, may be made worthy to receive an overflowing measure of grace from that fount of heavenly gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Old Calendar: Sacred Heart of Jesus

"I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment" (Jesus to St. Margaret Mary).

Sixteenth century Calvinism and seventeenth century Jansenism preached a distorted Christianity that substituted for God's love and sacrifice of His Son for all men the fearful idea that a whole section of humanity was inexorably damned.

The Church always countered this view with the infinite love of our Savior who died on the cross for all men. The institution of the feast of the Sacred Heart was soon to contribute to the creation among the faithful of a powerful current of devotion which since then has grown steadily stronger. The first Office and Mass of the Sacred Heart were composed by St. John Eudes, but the institution of the feast was a result of the appearances of our Lord to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1675. The celebration of the feast was extended to the general calendar of the Church by Pius IX in 1856.

The Global Rosary Relay for Priests begins at the stroke of midnight on June 8, this year, commencing in East Asia as it begins its journey around the world. We thank you for making this worldwide prayer event a success in the past as we now look forward to sharing in a greatly enhanced event for 2018, when over 100 lead shrines in more than 50 countries around the world will pray the rosary in their local language at their allocated time.

Here is a message to all priests for this important day: The Priesthood Is the Love of the Heart of Jesus and the Prayers for Priests, both for priests to say for themselves, and for lay people to say for priests.

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces. Pope Leo XIII declared in his Encyclical of September 22, 1891: "We may affirm that nothing, by the will of God, is given to us without Mary's mediation, in such way that just as no one can approach the almighty Father but through His Son, likewise no one, so to speak, can approach Christ but through His Mother."

Mentioned in the Roman Martyrology from 1961, we observe the "birthday" of St. Médard, Bishop of Noyon, France. (When the Church uses the word "Birthday" in regard to saints, She refers to the commemoration of the day on which the saint died.) Legend says that a sudden shower once fell, soaking everyone except St Médard who remained perfectly dry, because an eagle had spread its wings over him. Ever since, Médard was known as maître de la pluie—master of rain. In religious art, an eagle shelters Médard from the rain.

Close to the Heart of the Son is the Heart of the Mother
The Church, in this month of June, giving us the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, wishes us to understand the consequential devotion to Our Lady traditionally lived in the Marian month par excellence: the month of May. The Heart of Jesus is the See and Throne of Divine Mercy, revealed to the world in the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI speaking of the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus two years ago said: “In biblical language, "heart" indicates the centre of the person where his sentiments and intentions dwell. In the Heart of the Redeemer we adore God's love for humanity, his will for universal salvation, his infinite mercy. Practising devotion to the Sacred Heart of Christ therefore means adoring that Heart which, after having loved us to the end, was pierced by a spear and from high on the Cross poured out blood and water, an inexhaustible source of new life” (Benedict XVI, Angelus 5 June 2005).

The call which comes from this important feast day is first of all a call to Eucharistic adoration, because in the Sacred Host the Lord Jesus is truly present and He offers each of us His Heart, His Merciful Love. To spend time in the Presence of the Eucharistic Lord, to adore Him, is the best expression of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus which, as we know, spread all over the world thanks to Jesus' revelations to Saint Margherita M. Alacoque in the 17th century: “Behold the Heart which so loved mankind”!

As a prolongation and accomplishment of this message, the Lord appeared to another Sister in the 20th century revealing the abyss of His unfathomable mercy; she was Saint Faustina Kowalska who wrote in her Diary, now world famous, these words of Jesus: “I have opened my Heart as a living source of Mercy, from it all souls draw life, all approach with deep confidence this sea of Mercy. Sinners will obtain justification and the just will be strengthened in goodness. I will fill the souls of those who put their trust in My Mercy with My divine peace at the hour of their death. My daughter, continue to spread devotion to My Mercy, in doing so you will refresh My Heart which burns with the fire of compassion for sinners. Tell my priests that hardened sinners will be softened by their words if they speak of my boundless Mercy and of the compassion which My Heart feels for them. I will give priests who proclaim and exalt My Mercy wondrous power, unction to their words and I will move all the hearts to which they speak” (Book 5, 21 January 1938).

The deepest longing of Christ's Heart is that we discover how much he loves us, the extent of his tender love for creatures who, cooled by their selfishness, look only inwards at themselves, as if they were afraid to let themselves be loved unconditionally by their Creator, who asks nothing and gives all!

How society, culture, economy, politics today need this Heart! It is really true, the more man distances himself from God-Love the more he becomes 'heartless', agitated about a thousand things because he has mislaid the principal one: to let oneself be loved by Christ and to respond to this Love with our love.

Many times during history the Supreme Pontiffs have reminded humanity that without the Lord Jesus life has no real meaning, man gropes in the dark to find himself! The Servant of God John Paul II introduced the Church into the Third Millennium with a mandate to become “Apostles of Divine Mercy”. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI picked up where his Predecessor left off and never tires to remind us of the necessity to rediscover the merciful Heart, this infinite Love of God, who reveals Himself in our lives if we open to Him. “Open, open wide the doors to Christ” the voice of the Holy Spirit continues to say. By means of Eucharistic adoration we are “opened” from within by His invisible working in us. The Most Holy Eucharist, celebrated and adored, as the Church teaches us, is the greatest and most effective treasure of our salvation, an infinite treasure which must be safeguarded with profound respect and deepest devotion.

Close to the Heart of the Son is the Heart of the Mother whom the Church celebrates the day after the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let it again be the Holy Father who illuminates us with regard to this mystery: “The heart that resembles that of Christ more than any other is without a doubt the Heart of Mary, his Immaculate Mother, and for this very reason the liturgy holds them up together for our veneration. Responding to the Virgin's invitation at Fatima, let us entrust the whole world to her Immaculate Heart, which we contemplated yesterday in a special way, so that it may experience the merciful love of God and know true peace” (Benedict XVI, Angelus 5 June 2005).

— Rev. Luciano Alimandi, Agenzia Fides 13/6/2007

Things to Do:

From the Catholic Culture Library read Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Sacred Scripture by Bishop Raymond Burke.
Bake a heart shaped cake or cookies in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8-9

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Solemnity)

My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. (Hosea 11:8)

“Where are you off to now? To some church, probably, where you’ll gaze at the images and consider yourself pious. And all the time what is really wanted of you is a decent house for these poor creatures.”

When Fr. John Eudes heard these words, he was cut to the heart. For years, he had been promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He had dedicated his whole priesthood to helping the people of seventeenth-century France grasp how tenderly God loved them. And yet here was a friend essentially calling him a hypocrite. “How can you go and say your prayers when the people around you are suffering so much?”

In truth, Fr. John was already working to remedy the situation. The “poor creatures” that the friend spoke about were the women that Fr. John and his workers had rescued from a life of prostitution. Lacking any source of income or anyone to help them, these poor ladies had been reduced to selling their bodies just so they could feed their children. Fr. John had arranged temporary housing for them so they could be safe from the men who preyed on them.

But this wasn’t enough. These women were still vulnerable. They needed a permanent home and the chance to earn a decent wage—something Fr. John could clearly make happen. Stung by his friend’s words, he immediately began the process of founding a religious order of sisters who would care for these women and all the others like them.

We might think that Fr. John’s friend was being too harsh. Hadn’t he done enough? Couldn’t someone else pick up where he left off? Maybe. But Fr. John Eudes knew that “just enough” would never be enough—not if he wanted to be like Jesus.

That’s the point of today’s feast. Jesus gave every drop of his blood to save us. His sacred heart was—and still is—“overwhelmed” with love for us (Hosea 11:8). He would do anything for us. And he did.

Today, ask yourself: Do I believe that Jesus loves me fully, deeply, and completely? Then spend some time pondering how you can move beyond loving someone “just enough” in the days ahead.

“O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, I give you my life.”

(Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-6
Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19
John 19:31-37

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for June 8, 2018:

Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, draw close to Jesus’s Heart. Lay your head on Jesus’s chest, and give him your troubles. His Heart beats with love for you.

Regnum Christi

June 8, 2018 – Look at the Heart That Has Loved So

07 Jun 2018

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 Saint 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.

Homily of the Day

June 8, 2018

Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most widely practiced and well-known practices in the Church, taking Christ’s Heart as the representation of God’s love for humanity, of Christ’s unconditional love for us.

They say that, if you love with all your heart, you will do anything and everything to make the loved one happy. The heart has long been the symbol of love and life. It is difficult to define or explain love. One definition says, “It is an itch that cannot be scratched.” When you love, you want to reveal everything about yourself. Jesus showed his love for all, for each one of us. Jesus loved us and gave his life for the ransom of many: “this is my blood, the blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mt 26: 28)

Jesus message of love includes love of enemies. How can we love our enemies? On the cross, Jesus forgave those who crucified him, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.” (Lk 23: 34) “But see how God manifested his love for us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5: 8)

God showed his special care for Israel, his chosen people. In the first reading Hosea shows God’s tender fatherly love for Israel.

Throughout his public ministry Jesus acted out of love, a love that included everyone. He preached to them, healed and forgave their sins, restored their dignity as human persons. We are promised eternal life if we keep his commandments and abide in his love.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 34, Issue 4

<< Friday, June 8, 2018 >>

Sacred Heart of Jesus

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

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

THE BACKGROUND OF LOVE

"They shall look on Him." �John 19:37

I'm looking at a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Behind Jesus is a cloudy sky and some trees. The Sacred Heart occupies perhaps two percent of the area of the picture. Yet when I first look at the picture, all I see is His heart with so much love radiating from it. As I gaze more closely, I am captivated by Jesus, His outstretched, nail-scarred hands, and His inviting pose. Eventually I notice the background, which occupies over half of the picture's area. Because the background is crafted so skillfully, it leads the eyes immediately to the Sacred Heart, setting the stage without stealing the show.

The background to the love of Jesus is His early years as a Refugee, His conflict-filled public ministry, the agony of the cross of Jesus. In short, the background of the glory of love is a long life of suffering. Because God has so skillfully crafted Jesus' life of suffering, Jesus' suffering leads us immediately to His love.

Is your life full of suffering, brokenness, misery, and failure? Do you feel that more than half your life has been wasted? (see Is 49:4) Are you longing for life, but only finding suffering? Jesus is the Master, and He is making a masterpiece out of your life. Could it be that Jesus has been spending all this time painting your background? When He gets the background right, He'll be ready to paint the glory and the love. Jesus often saves the best for last (see Jn 2:10). Allow the Lord to paint as He sees fit. When He's finished, there will be nothing left but total love (see 1 Cor 13:13). All your sufferings will only make the final masterpiece of your life shine more brightly with the touch of the Master's hand.

Prayer: Sacred Heart of Jesus, make my heart like unto Thine.

Promise: "We can speak freely to God, drawing near Him with confidence." —Eph 3:12

Praise: Praise You, Jesus! You are Love incarnate (1 Jn 4:8). I rejoice in Your loving kindness. Alleluia!

For #33
One Bread, One Body