The month of June is devoted to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a Church we turn our attention towards the Sacred Heart each first Friday of the month as well as celebrate its solemnity on the second Sunday following Pentecost which this year would be the following Friday, June 11th.
Saint Josemaria Escriva exclaimed concerning this devotion: “Let us realize all the richness hidden in the words “the sacred heart of Jesus.” When we speak of a person’s heart, we refer not just to his sentiments, but to the whole person in his loving dealings with others. In order to help us understand divine things, Scripture uses the expression “heart” in its full human meaning, as the summary and source, expression and ultimate basis, of one’s thoughts, words and actions. A man is worth what his heart is worth.”
It is through this devotion to the Sacred Heart that we are able to look upon the endless passionate love that God has for humanity. This heart has been pierced and crucified and thus pours forth for each of us salvation and mercy. The heart of our Lord desires that all may turn towards Him and thus stop committing sin against His Sacred Heart. In our world we can see so many who care not as the sin against the Lord, but His Sacred Heart still burns with the desire that they may be converted and live.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart should be fostered within our homes. Through such devotion we begin to allow our heart to turn towards God and to dwell with Him. The more that we remain with Christ the more our heart will be transformed to more like Him.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart consists of consecration, a daily offering, celebration of the Eucharist and reconciliation of consecutive first Fridays, and displaying and honoring an image of the Sacred Heart. Many homes have the priest come and enthrone the Sacred Heart within their home which gives the individual or family a place to pray and be reminded that their life should always dwell with Christ.
Saint Josemaria Escriva remarked of such devotion: “So when we talk about the heart of Jesus, we stress the certainty of God’s love and the truth of his commitment to us. When we recommend devotion to the sacred heart, we are recommending that we should give our whole self to Jesus, to the whole Jesus- our soul, our feelings and thoughts, our words and actions, our joys.”
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
