FEAST OF SACRED HEART OF JESUS
JUNE 16, 2023
BACKGROUND
In the eleventh and twelfth centuries we find the first indications of devotion to the Sacred Heart. It was the Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries that the devotion began. 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
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. Jesus gave us His all. Jesus is the model of love, service, and compassion for us in service to our fellow man.
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, uncomfortably, answered, “Jesus said “I don’t know, I have forgotten them!”
REFLECTION
In this culture of death, let us spend the month of June in Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, lifting 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.
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us of Jesus’ humanity as well as His divinity and the significance of His sacrifice.
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. It wasn’t easy for Jesus to do the Father’s will. “Father if possible remove this cup from me, but not my will thy will be done. Luke 22:42 Let us too will our prayers, our love and our lives for the salvation of mankind.
ACT OF REPARATION TO SACRED HEART OF JESUS
ST. MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE
ADORABLE Heart of Jesus, infinitely rich in mercy, heal the wounds of our souls. We humbly prostrate ourselves before Thee to express the sorrow that fills our hearts for the coldness and indifference we have so often embraced….
ADORABLE Heart of Jesus, source of true contrition and ever merciful to the penitent sinner, impart to our hearts the spirit of penance, and give to our eyes a fountain of tears, that we may sincerely bewail our sins now and for the rest of our days.
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!
Thank you so much for the historical background especially.