The Sacred Heart of Jesus

A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer OFS

This Reflection appeared in the June 2023 issue of the Canticle,
published by Divine Mercy Fraternity, Vero Beach, Florida

I have written a number of reflections now on the Love of God for us, and the need for all of us to reflect this love back to Our Lord through our sisters and brothers. Our Lord, Jesus, does this wonderfully. He places Himself in our lives. It doesn't matter how. It is mysterious. But He is there. And He wishes to be our big Brother, and He keeps telling us that He loves us so very much. He told us that through the Cross, because if He had not died for our sins, on the Cross (The Cross are our sins and the sins of the world), we would not be able to be with Him in Heaven for all time. But as much as He loves us, there will be punishment for those who love Him not.

Early in all our lives, that is Catholic Christians, we were introduced to the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was hammered into us in Catholic schooling, in CCD, and in various books. The term "Sacred Heart" or "Heart of Jesus" does not occur in Holy Scripture, and this is not surprising, because the devotion for the Sacred Heart of Jesus did not come into practice until the year, 1690 (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque) - and really did not become popular until the year 1899, when on June 11th, Pope Leo XIII, consecrated the whole world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. That is when this Pope wrote an encyclical "Annum Sacrum" (on Vatican Website).

When I was with the Monks of Adoration (1998-2002), as a lead-in to Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, we consecrated ourselves daily to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with this beautiful prayer:

"Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and soul to be entirely one with Your Heart, being sacrificed at every instant, on the altars of the world, giving praise to the Father and pleading for the coming of His Kingdom. Please receive this humble offering of myself. Use me as You will for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls. Most Holy Mother of God, never let me be separated from your Divine Son. Please defend and protect me as Your special child. Amen."

If we place ourselves daily in the Heart of Jesus, and try to love each other with the love Jesus has for us, we will go to Heaven. Jesus made twelve promises to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, as follows:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2. I will establish peace in their families.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.

5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.

9. I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.

10. I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.

12. The all-powerful love of my Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive Months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; my Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

Promises like that, from Jesus, given to the Saint in a vision on December 27, 1673, are very special, and we should study these and make them a part of our lives. There are several ways to be assured of a life in Heaven. Jesus told us of these Himself, and our Mother Mary also made some of these ways known in apparitions and revelations. These great spiritual events are Gifts of God and we should treasure those, because it is clear from them that Jesus desires us to be with Him for all time. But we need to get ready for this transition into Heaven, by making an honest effort to sin no more. Yes, it can be done. First you whittle away at the big sins, day by day, and when you've got those mostly conquered, you start working on the little sins. And then the imperfections, and so on. It is never too late to say to Jesus and His Mother, "I'm sorry for I have sinned," and, "Please help me repent and sin no more." And do seek out a priest to lighten the load, to come clean with Jesus, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation - Holy Confession. May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord show his face to you and have compassion on you! May he turn his face to you and give you peace! (St. Francis of Assisi)

Fred Schaeffer, OFS, 5/31/2023

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