Today we observe the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This also serves as the feast day of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. She prompted devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in this modern age. This is important for us because on the evenings of November 13, 14, and 15 we will have a parish mission which will propagate the enthroning of one’s home to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Saint Mary Margaret Alacoque received many private revelations concerning the Sacred Heart starting in December of 1673. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus would promote the reception of Holy Communion of the first Friday of each month, participating in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursdays, and the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
Pope Pius XI would remark of her in his encyclical letter “Miserentissimus Redemptor,” that Jesus “promised her that all those who rendered this honor to His Heart would be endowed with an abundance of graces.”
As she would state, “And He showed me that it was His great desire of being loved by men and withdrawing them from the path of ruin that made Him want to manifest His Heart to men, with all the treasures of love, of mercy, of grace, of sanctification and salvation which it contains, in order that those who desire to render Him and procure Him all the honor and love possible might themselves be abundantly enriched with those divine treasures of which His Heart is the source.”
It was from the Book of Psalms that we were instructed to “lift up (our) eyes toward the mountains.” Likewise, people came to elevate their sight towards Moses as he lifted up his arm with rod in hand. We too look up towards Calvary and there see our Lord as He lays down His life for us with arms outstretched. It is through prayer that we remain persistent in coming to know of His love for us despite the trial, temptation, and joy of our life.
It is Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus that allows us to look upon Him with love. Truly His heart pours forth out of love for us infinitely. So often our families are fragmented from this reality and our homes are not a place of prayer. Enthronement of one’s home to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus enkindles that relationship with Christ which ought to be present. As Saint Margaret Mary had stated, “I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored.”
It is my invitation to you to participate in this parish mission which will take place in November. It will be a time of renewal for our families and parish community. The graces that the Lord desires to give are abundant if only we desire to prevail ourself to them. Let us elevate our sight towards Him and place our faith in Him.
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us.
Most Sacred of Jesus, have mercy on us.
