Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

JMJ

Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

June is the month dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  It is good for us to reflect on this fact because too often the world has forgotten . . . . or shall we say more accurately, it has neglected  . . .  its' devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Indeed, it is fitting that we picture Our Lord with the Sacred Heart showing.  When we see the Sacred Heart portrayed in pictures, do we not think of the immense love which Our Blessed Saviour has for us?  In popular culture, do we not equate our "heart" with "love?"  Everyone has certainly heard the quote, for example:  "Home is where the heart is," have we not?  On St. Valentine's Day do we not exchange cards decorated with images of hearts and give heart-shaped boxes of candy and heart-shaped balloons to those whom we love?  Do not those in love say to their intended:  "I give you my heart" . . .  "You are in my heart" . . . . Do we not respond to the question, "How much do you love me?" with the response, "I love you with all my heart!"  So, in this light, it would seem completely acceptable to think about how much Our Blessed Saviour loves us and picturing His Most Sacred Heart in the process.

When Our Lord was giving His famous Sermon on the Mount, part of what He chose to speak about was the fact that those here on earth spend so much time and effort trying to obtain worldly possessions.  Our Lord stated:  "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal." (St. Matthew 6:19)  Are we any different from those to whom Our Lord was speaking to some two-thousand years ago?  Do we not lay up treasures here on earth for ourselves?  We have to have the latest styles and fads when it comes to clothing so that we do not appear "different" from everyone else.  We have to have the latest electronics.   Do not people practically run to the store when the latest version of the I-phone arrives or the latest version whatever phone brand we prefer.  Do we not see images on the nightly news of people lining up to buy the hottest video game when it is released to the public?  Do we anticipate the biggest block-buster movies from Hollywood and line up to purchase our tickets as soon as the movie is released?  Do we not fixate on whatever we desire until we get it?  And then before you know it we begin fixating on the next worldly treasure which society tells us we just have to have.  Our Blessed Lord indeed knows the heart of man when He stated:  "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  (St. Matthew 6:21)   Whether it be earthly treasures . . . . fancy phones . . .  latest styles of shoes or clothing . . .  drugs or drink .  . . .  riches  . . .  money . . .  Do we not hold these things close to our heart?   Whatever we treasure on earth, we will also keep these things in our heart.

 In the Old Testament we read:  "As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man."  (Proverbs 27:19)  What this proverb means from Scripture is simply that just as we can see what we look like if we see our reflection in the water or see our reflection in a mirror, so too will the man be reflected by what he holds dear in his heart.   If this is true of us human beings, what can be said about the Most Sacred Heart of Our Blessed Savior?  Pope Leo XIII stated:  "There is in the Sacred Heart the symbol and express image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love in return."  The infinite love of Jesus Christ!   What an image, indeed!    . . .  the express image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ . . .  

If we consider for just a moment the portraits or paintings we have seen concerning the Sacred Heart of Jesus, many of these portraits show Our Blessed Lord presenting His Heart to us  . . .  His Sacred Heart.   Do we not say that we give our heart to the one we love?  So is it so hard to believe that Our Blessed Saviour would be of similar mind when it comes to sentiment of heart?   Without a doubt, Our Blessed Lord does give us His love.  Our Blessed Lord does give us His Heart .  .  . .  His Most Sacred Heart.  "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you  . . . . " (I St. Peter 3:15)  We should always keep God in our hearts if He is indeed a treasure to us.  If we treasure something we possess, we do not hesitate to tell others of our love, do we?  Proud parents are quick to tell of their beautiful child and their child's accomplishments, for example.   Those who enjoy a particular hobby are happy to talk about their hobby with anyone who shows interest.  So, too, should we follow the advice of St. Peter and explain the hope which is in our heart.  We should explain to the world that our hearts belong to Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Who first gave His Heart to us, His Most Sacred Heart!

St. Mary Margaret Alacoque stated:  "Consider often that it is only the humble of heart that can enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, and converse with Him,  Love Him and be loved by Him."   Let us always do our best to stay close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The world does what it can to lure us away from God.  The world distracts us.  The world grabs our attention.  The world tries its' best to find its' way into hearts.  And, sadly, for many in the world today, the world does just that.  Let us never stray for Our Lord's Most Sacred Heart.  It is there that His love radiates toward the entire world.