Greetings in Christ!
As we move through the liturgical year, I would like to direct your attention to one of the most beautiful and comforting devotions in our Catholic faith - the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In a world that so often feels bored, divided, and distracted, the image of the Sacred Heart stands as a powerful reminder of a living, beating heart that is filled with unconditional love for you.
When we honor the Sacred Heart, we are not just honoring a symbol; we are adoring the very humanity and divinity of Christ. In religious art, Christ’s exposed heart, surrounded by flames and crowned with thorns, signifies and reminds us of both Jesus' immense suffering for our sins and the purifying, transformative power of his love. It is this heart which wept for His friend Lazarus, bled on the cross, and waits for us in the Eucharist. It is a visual reminder that God loves us with a costly, deliberate love, and he thirsts for our love in return.
Maybe for this reason and to remind our nation of this truth, the Bishops of the United States consecrated our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The consecration took place this past Thursday on the eve of the Solemnity. In light of that consecration, each one of us should consider how to more fully embrace this devotion as individuals and as a community.
A few suggestions that have been handed down over the years, include the practice of home enthronement. Place an image or statue of the Sacred Heart in a prominent place in your home as a visible reminder that Christ is the center of your family. Another way to honor His heart is to keep the First Friday Devotions. This is done by Attending Mass on the First Friday of the month as requested by Our Lord to St. Margaret Mary, offering reparation for our sins and uniting your heart to His. A final idea is to simply carry out acts of charity. The flames of Christ's mercy call us to love one another, even those who have broken our hearts or whose lifestyles we may find difficult. Reach out especially to these people, with the charity exemplified in His sacred heart.
During this month of June, may the Sacred Heart of Jesus bless you and your loved ones, and may His peace reign in our parish of St. Dorothy.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael Carlson, Pastor
