The Sacred Heart--Burning with Radical Love

Look at 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 Alacoque

Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

The Sacred Heart is one of the most necessary and important devotions in the Western Church today.  Jesus came to Saint Margaret Mary to give a crucial message to a world moving in the wrong direction.

Against Jansenism 

At the time of St. Margaret Mary's visions, Jansenism was gaining ground.  It taught that mankind had been radically corrupted by original sin and that Christ did not die for all, but only for those predestined to be saved.  Holy Communion was seen as a reward for the good rather than a remedy for the spiritually sick and could only be received, according to the Jansenists, after a long and severe preparation.  Jansenism was condemned by the Church in 1653. The message of Christ's deep love for all in His Sacred Heart was violently opposed in areas which were heavily Jansenist.

Love and Mercy

Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque on June 13, 1675 and told her, "See this heart, which has loved men so much, to the point of exhausting and consuming itself to show them its love."  The Heart of Christ is shown aflame with love for each member of mankind.

Often seen today as a precursor of the Divine Mercy apparition, mercy is the central message of the Sacred Heart devotion.  It is more important than ever today to remember, preach and show others that Jesus came to the earth to show His love and mercy to mankind.

A Failed Witness

We are SO quick today, to feast on malicious gossip, often regarding people we have never met in person.  Rumors and scandals become an all-consuming fire in our souls and fodder for the latest in social media.  Even in our churches, we often let this tempting addiction from the devil take hold.  How many times recently has it not even occurred to us to be gentle, merciful and caring in our thoughts, actions and verbalizations, (both real and "virtual")?

Now, more than ever, we are a witness to others.  Our thoughts and opinions are everywhere and will even continue on  in cyber space and survive our mortal bodies!  More and more people today are turning away from mainstream Christian faiths because they do not see Christianity being lived out by its adherents.  Those who remain are often hounded and judged out of the Church by its well-meaning members.  Do not let this be you!

Be Love!

Jesus reserved his greatest condemnation for the spiritual leaders who should have known better, but were heaping burdens on people's backs that they themselves were unwilling to carry. (Matthew 23:4)  He told Martha that she worried about so many things when only one was necessary--sitting at His feet and feeding on His Words. (Luke 10:41)

He used the most hated group of his day, the Samaritans, (Jewish schismatics)  to illustrate what true love is--love for strangers, love for those otherwise thought to be "unclean" and not worth going out of one's way to help.  (Luke 10: 25-37)  He openly spoke to a woman who had been married 5 times, was living with a man, and was a Samaritan. She would not have been given the time of day by most religious people, but Jesus revealed to her that He was the Messiah.

Christ was truly a radical in how He showed His Love.

 He cared not one bit what was whispered about him--that he seemed to enjoy the company of others without regard for either their financial or spiritual poverty (the woman who washed His feet with her tears) or their standing in the community--either low or high .  (Zacheus, Joseph of Arimathea)  He preached that sacrificial love for humanity should come before all else--even religious rules. "The Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27)

Sacred Heart of Jesus,

We beg you to pour out your Love onto us today and help us to be on fire with love for all your children, those who are easy for us to love and those who are not.  With your help, we can rein in our baser nature and live as true children of your Father.

Amen. 

The Sacred Heart--Burning with Radical Love

Look at 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 Alacoque

Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

The Sacred Heart is one of the most necessary and important devotions in the Western Church today.  Jesus came to Saint Margaret Mary to give a crucial message to a world moving in the wrong direction.

Against Jansenism 

At the time of St. Margaret Mary's visions, Jansenism was gaining ground.  It taught that mankind had been radically corrupted by original sin and that Christ did not die for all, but only for those predestined to be saved.  Holy Communion was seen as a reward for the good rather than a remedy for the spiritually sick and could only be received, according to the Jansenists, after a long and severe preparation.  Jansenism was condemned by the Church in 1653. The message of Christ's deep love for all in His Sacred Heart was violently opposed in areas which were heavily Jansenist.

Love and Mercy

Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque on June 13, 1675 and told her, "See this heart, which has loved men so much, to the point of exhausting and consuming itself to show them its love."  The Heart of Christ is shown aflame with love for each member of mankind.

Often seen today as a precursor of the Divine Mercy apparition, mercy is the central message of the Sacred Heart devotion.  It is more important than ever today to remember, preach and show others that Jesus came to the earth to show His love and mercy to mankind.

A Failed Witness

We are SO quick today, to feast on malicious gossip, often regarding people we have never met in person.  Rumors and scandals become an all-consuming fire in our souls and fodder for the latest in social media.  Even in our churches, we often let this tempting addiction from the devil take hold.  How many times recently has it not even occurred to us to be gentle, merciful and caring in our thoughts, actions and verbalizations, (both real and "virtual")?

Now, more than ever, we are a witness to others.  Our thoughts and opinions are everywhere and will even continue on  in cyber space and survive our mortal bodies!  More and more people today are turning away from mainstream Christian faiths because they do not see Christianity being lived out by its adherents.  Those who remain are often hounded and judged out of the Church by its well-meaning members.  Do not let this be you!

Be Love!

Jesus reserved his greatest condemnation for the spiritual leaders who should have known better, but were heaping burdens on people's backs that they themselves were unwilling to carry. (Matthew 23:4)  He told Martha that she worried about so many things when only one was necessary--sitting at His feet and feeding on His Words. (Luke 10:41)

He used the most hated group of his day, the Samaritans, (Jewish schismatics)  to illustrate what true love is--love for strangers, love for those otherwise thought to be "unclean" and not worth going out of one's way to help.  (Luke 10: 25-37)  He openly spoke to a woman who had been married 5 times, was living with a man, and was a Samaritan. She would not have been given the time of day by most religious people, but Jesus revealed to her that He was the Messiah.

Christ was truly a radical in how He showed His Love.

 He cared not one bit what was whispered about him--that he seemed to enjoy the company of others without regard for either their financial or spiritual poverty (the woman who washed His feet with her tears) or their standing in the community--either low or high .  (Zacheus, Joseph of Arimathea)  He preached that sacrificial love for humanity should come before all else--even religious rules. "The Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27)

Sacred Heart of Jesus,

We beg you to pour out your Love onto us today and help us to be on fire with love for all your children, those who are easy for us to love and those who are not.  With your help, we can rein in our baser nature and live as true children of your Father.

Amen. 

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This is a calming and meditative Litany of the Sacred Heart set to Gregorian chant. Listen and open your own heart to God.

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This is a calming and meditative Litany of the Sacred Heart set to Gregorian chant. Listen and open your own heart to God.

Litany of the Sacred Heart for Valentine's Day

The most important heart is Jesus' Heart. The most important love is the love that Jesus has for each of us and the love we can give to Him. That Love is available to us no matter what our situation in life.

Happy Saint Valentine's Day.



Sacred Heart of Jesus I believe in Your love for me.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Your Heart.

Litany of the Sacred Heart for Valentine's Day

The most important heart is Jesus' Heart. The most important love is the love that Jesus has for each of us and the love we can give to Him. That Love is available to us no matter what our situation in life.

Happy Saint Valentine's Day.



Sacred Heart of Jesus I believe in Your love for me.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Your Heart.

Feast of the Sacred Heart

Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The Heart of Jesus has long been a symbol of His great Love for us. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus tells us,

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and humble of heart: and you shall find rest for your souls."

At the Last Supper, also the first Mass, Saint John, the Beloved Disciple, had the privilege of leaning against Jesus' beating heart. Jesus is our sure refuge. In Him, we truly find rest for our souls.

In the early days of the Church, (A.D. 165) Justin Martyr spoke of Christians as being

"carved out of His heart as from a rock"

and even today, in the Litany of Humility, Catholics still pray, "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours" for that is the goal of this life: to conform our will and our heart to the Heart of Jesus.

Litany of Humility

From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honoured, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of comfort and ease, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being criticized, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being passed over, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being lonely, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being hurt, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering, deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, strengthen me with your Spirit.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, teach me your ways.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
help me put my self importance aside
to learn the kind of cooperation with others
that makes possible the presence of your Abba's household.

~Amen

Feast of the Sacred Heart

Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The Heart of Jesus has long been a symbol of His great Love for us. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus tells us,

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and humble of heart: and you shall find rest for your souls."

At the Last Supper, also the first Mass, Saint John, the Beloved Disciple, had the privilege of leaning against Jesus' beating heart. Jesus is our sure refuge. In Him, we truly find rest for our souls.

In the early days of the Church, (A.D. 165) Justin Martyr spoke of Christians as being

"carved out of His heart as from a rock"

and even today, in the Litany of Humility, Catholics still pray, "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours" for that is the goal of this life: to conform our will and our heart to the Heart of Jesus.

Litany of Humility

From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honoured, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of comfort and ease, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being criticized, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being passed over, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being lonely, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being hurt, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering, deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, strengthen me with your Spirit.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, teach me your ways.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
help me put my self importance aside
to learn the kind of cooperation with others
that makes possible the presence of your Abba's household.

~Amen

Giving Our Pain to Christ

In the course of every activity pray as follows: “My God, [I do this] or [I endure that] in the heart of your Son and according to his holy counsels. I offer it to you in reparation for anything blameworthy or imperfect in my actions.”

Continue to do this in every circumstance of life. And every time that some punishment, affliction, or injustice comes your way, say to yourself: “Accept this as sent to you by the Sacred Heart of Jesus in order to unite yourself to him.”
~ Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Giving Our Pain to Christ

In the course of every activity pray as follows: “My God, [I do this] or [I endure that] in the heart of your Son and according to his holy counsels. I offer it to you in reparation for anything blameworthy or imperfect in my actions.”

Continue to do this in every circumstance of life. And every time that some punishment, affliction, or injustice comes your way, say to yourself: “Accept this as sent to you by the Sacred Heart of Jesus in order to unite yourself to him.”
~ Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today is the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Pierced for our sins,

His Sacred Heart has loved us

from the beginning of time.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today is the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Pierced for our sins,

His Sacred Heart has loved us

from the beginning of time.

June is the month of the Sacred Heart

As you may notice from my sidebar, June is the month of the Sacred Heart. The Heart of Jesus was pierced at the crucifixion and, from it, blood and water flowed. Jesus told us,

Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls.
~Matthew 11:29

Modern devotion to the Sacred Heart was strengthened by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation sister. Christ told Margaret Mary,

Behold this Heart which has so loved men that It has spared nothing, even to consuming itself to witness its love.

Many believe that devotion to the Sacred Heart was completed in the Divine Mercy devotion, which sprung from the visions given to Saint Faustina.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You.

June is the month of the Sacred Heart

As you may notice from my sidebar, June is the month of the Sacred Heart. The Heart of Jesus was pierced at the crucifixion and, from it, blood and water flowed. Jesus told us,

Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls.
~Matthew 11:29

Modern devotion to the Sacred Heart was strengthened by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation sister. Christ told Margaret Mary,

Behold this Heart which has so loved men that It has spared nothing, even to consuming itself to witness its love.

Many believe that devotion to the Sacred Heart was completed in the Divine Mercy devotion, which sprung from the visions given to Saint Faustina.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You.

Happy Saint Valentine's Day

Saint Valentino was a Roman priest who performed weddings in spite of the Emperor Claudius' outlawing of marriage for Roman soldiers. He was martyred in the year 270.

The customs associated with Saint Valentine's Day come from various sources and intertwine nicely. For example, besides being St. Valentine's Day, it was believed that half way through the month of February is the time when birds choose their mates. The color red is the color of martyrs, and is also associated with love. In Greek mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, and is portrayed as a small cherub who shoots love, represented by arrows, into people's hearts.

Interestingly, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is often shown with the wound from the soldier's sword that pierced it and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is often illustrated with the sword(s) of her "seven sorrows" piercing her heart, fulfilling Simeon's prophesy, "Thine own soul, a sword shall pierce."







For Catholics, Saint Valentine's Day should not be a mere "Hallmark Holiday" but a time to reflect on the great love that Christ has for us and the many gifts He has given us. How can we give back?

During the upcoming Lenten season, use the Church's recommendation for fasting, prayer and almsgiving to give back to Jesus, who loves you so much.

Hat tip to Fish Eaters for the wealth of info on Saint Valentine's Day.

Happy Saint Valentine's Day

Saint Valentino was a Roman priest who performed weddings in spite of the Emperor Claudius' outlawing of marriage for Roman soldiers. He was martyred in the year 270.

The customs associated with Saint Valentine's Day come from various sources and intertwine nicely. For example, besides being St. Valentine's Day, it was believed that half way through the month of February is the time when birds choose their mates. The color red is the color of martyrs, and is also associated with love. In Greek mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, and is portrayed as a small cherub who shoots love, represented by arrows, into people's hearts.

Interestingly, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is often shown with the wound from the soldier's sword that pierced it and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is often illustrated with the sword(s) of her "seven sorrows" piercing her heart, fulfilling Simeon's prophesy, "Thine own soul, a sword shall pierce."







For Catholics, Saint Valentine's Day should not be a mere "Hallmark Holiday" but a time to reflect on the great love that Christ has for us and the many gifts He has given us. How can we give back?

During the upcoming Lenten season, use the Church's recommendation for fasting, prayer and almsgiving to give back to Jesus, who loves you so much.

Hat tip to Fish Eaters for the wealth of info on Saint Valentine's Day.

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart

Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I've come to a renewed faith in the Sacred Heart as manifested through the Holy Eucharist and the Mass. In truth, there is a miracle taking place every day in the Mass. Jesus is becoming present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity and waiting for us to receive Him, spend time with Him, and worship Him. He is there on the altar, in the Tabernacle, each and every day and night, waiting to envelope us in the Love that emminates from His Sacred Heart. It is so easy to do, really.

It's free.

His Love is free.

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart

Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I've come to a renewed faith in the Sacred Heart as manifested through the Holy Eucharist and the Mass. In truth, there is a miracle taking place every day in the Mass. Jesus is becoming present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity and waiting for us to receive Him, spend time with Him, and worship Him. He is there on the altar, in the Tabernacle, each and every day and night, waiting to envelope us in the Love that emminates from His Sacred Heart. It is so easy to do, really.

It's free.

His Love is free.

June: The month of the Sacred Heart

Remain in my love.
John 15:9

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I wanted to ask you all to remember the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in your prayers. They are the order who is in charge of the parish where I attend Mass. Ministering to God's children is not an easy job, especially in these times when we all are being tested.

Jesus' love for each of us, no matter who we are, is boundless. Say yes to His Love.

June: The month of the Sacred Heart

Remain in my love.
John 15:9

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I wanted to ask you all to remember the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in your prayers. They are the order who is in charge of the parish where I attend Mass. Ministering to God's children is not an easy job, especially in these times when we all are being tested.

Jesus' love for each of us, no matter who we are, is boundless. Say yes to His Love.