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June 20, 2014One of the oldest and most powerful devotions in the church is Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This feast is celebrated this Friday, June 27th. It always follows and flows from the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ which is today, Sunday. This devotion is the worship of God's incarnate love for mankind, which brings us a deeper contemplation of the love of God the Son. God speaks to Israel: "My steadfast loves shall not depart from you" (Is. 54:10). God says in the book of Jeremiah, "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jer. 31:3). God invites mankind to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" (Deut, 6:5). Jesus says to us: "God so loved the world that He gave his only Son" (Jn. 3:16) to save sinners. St. Paul says "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Rom 5:5). From these scriptures [and there are many more] can you ever doubt God's love? Devotion to the Sacred Heart began as early as 1537 in Milan, Italy to resolve a political dispute between the Holy Roman Emperor and the King of France. This devotion has grown in the Church thru the centuries for the purpose of strengthening the faith, converting the sinners and praying for world peace. The true strength of our faith and love lies in the loving heart of God for us. God is Love. St. Maximilian Kolbe tells us: "Hatred destroys; only LOVE creates." I encourage you to make a real effort to attend the 8:00 a.m. Mass this coming Friday, the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Bring the children; they are most welcomed ! The life that Jesus gives to the world comes from the graces of the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Love. [Also, see the insert in today's bulletin the Promises of the Sacred Heart made to those having devotion to the Sacred Heart. These promises were communicated by Christ to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in a revelation in 1675. "Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, inflame our hearts with love for you."
Have a blessed week, Msgr. Adam
