JUNE 27, 2025
BACKGROUND
In the eleventh and twelfth centuries we find the first indications of devotion to the Sacred Heart. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is of great antiquity in the Church. It was St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, however, who made this devotion widespread. In Jesus’ appearance to Margaret Mary in the 17th century, June 1675, Jesus disclosed he wanted to share the wonders of His love and the treasures of His goodness to all the world.
Jesus told Margaret Mary, “Behold the Heart that has so loved men. Instead of gratitude I receive from the greater part of mankind only sacrilege, contempt, indifference and ingratitude.” Jesus asked her for a feast of reparation to His Most Sacred Heart.
Revelation of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
COMMENTARY
June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This specific feast day is celebrated the first Friday after the feast of Corpus Christi. . The “heart” has been the symbol of love almost forever. Valentine cards are filled with hearts, boxes of candy come in heart shape boxes, we cover our hearts at the national anthem so is it any surprise that Jesus divine and human wants us to focus on His heart pierced for our salvation.
After Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque received apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus she told her Mother Superior and asked what she should do. Mother Superior advised Margaret Mary to tell the Priest in Confession and ask his advice. The priest told Saint Margaret Mary to ask Jesus what he confessed in his last confession. Next confession the priest asked Saint Margaret what Jesus said. Margaret Mary answered, “Jesus said “I don’t know, I have forgotten them!”
REFLECTION
In today’s culture of death, let us pray to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to lift up our Nation, indeed the whole world, to the One in whom we place all of our trust. His Heart still beats with Mercy and Love for the world.
Jesus suffered, He felt pain, He literally laid down his life for us …. The cross is not about how much Christ suffered but how much God loves us. Suffering (passion) is part of human condition. Love and suffering go together, like hand in glove. You love until it hurts, just ask a caregiver caring for a loved one.
.ADORABLE Heart of Jesus, source of true contrition and ever merciful to the penitent sinner, impart to our hearts the spirit of penance, that we reject our sins now and for the rest of our days. Strengthen our weakness, confirm our resolutions of amendment, that nothing in life or death may ever again separate us from Thee. Amen.
JESUS MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART
MAKE MY HEART LIKE UNTO THINE