Learning to be Quick to Listen

For Catholics, a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus offers profound spiritual benefits, drawing us closer to the very core of divine love and mercy. This devotion isn't just about a physical organ, but rather a symbolic representation of Christ's boundless love for humanity, a love so immense it led Him to suffer and die for our salvation. Through it, we contemplate the depths of His compassion, His patience, and His willingness to embrace our suffering. It provides a powerful antidote to a world often lacking in authentic love, helping us to understand God as infinitely good and merciful, rather than solely a judging authority. Embracing this devotion can lead to a deepening of our own charity, a greater capacity for forgiveness, and a renewed sense of hope and peace in our daily lives. To practically deepen your devotion to the Sacred Heart, consider the practice of making a "Holy Hour" of prayer. Inspired by Jesus' request to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to ...

The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has been a wellspring of spiritual growth and a powerful source of grace for countless Catholics throughout history, championed by numerous saints and popes. One of the most influential figures in its promotion was St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun to whom Jesus appeared in the 17th century, revealing His burning love for humanity and His desire for this devotion to be spread. Through her obedience and humility, the Church received the twelve promises associated with the Sacred Heart, including peace in families, aid in necessities, and blessings upon undertakings. Popes like Leo XIII, who consecrated the entire human race to the Sacred Heart in 1899, and Pius XII , who issued the encyclical Haurietis Aquas in 1956, further solidified the devotion's place within the Church, emphasizing its profound theological roots in Christ's incarnate love and redemptive sacrifice. Beyond these foundational figures, countless other sain...

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus offers a profound path to spiritual transformation, deeply rooted in the revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and championed by modern pontiffs like Pope Saint John Paul II. At its core, this devotion invites us to contemplate the immense love of God, symbolized by the pierced heart of Christ – a heart "aglow with love" as St. Margaret Mary described it. Embracing this devotion means recognizing the personal and infinite love Jesus has for each of us, a love that suffered and sacrificed for our salvation. It calls us to respond to this love with our own, fostering a deeper intimacy with Christ and a desire to make amends for the indifference and ingratitude shown to Him. The promises made to St. Margaret Mary for those who practice this devotion are extraordinary, including peace in their families, blessings in their undertakings, consolation in their troubles, and even the grace of final perseverance. Pope Saint John Paul II frequ...

The Catholic Church dedicates the entire month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a devotion that invites believers into the depths of Christ's boundless love. This profound devotion emphasizes the physical heart of Jesus as a symbol of His divine and human love for humanity. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "The Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, is quite simply the image of God's infinite love" (CCC 478). This devotion is not merely sentimental but draws us into the very core of Christ's being, a love so immense it led Him to suffer and die for our redemption. The roots of this devotion are significantly tied to the revelations received by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century. Through a series of visions , Christ revealed to her His Sacred Heart, deeply wounded by the indifference and ingratitude of humanity, yet overflowing with mercy and a desire for reparation. Saint Margaret Mary often recounted...

Are you living for the now or for eternal happiness and joy? If you answered the former, it is time for a U-turn. If you answered the latter, keep on heading down that path.  Our lives are supposed to be centered on joy in the Lord . Pursuing a life that revels in the world and its empty promises may bring you pleasure but the joy you are seeking is from our Father. When you are walking with the Spirit, people are attracted to you and what you have. It is the perfect opportunity to talk about Jesus and his promise of eternal life in Heaven. There are so many stories of the rich and powerful never finding fulfillment.  How many film stars have veered into a life of calamity and ended up alone and sad. Once their god of choice (money, fame, notoriety, etc.) has abandoned them, they find themselves bound by what others think of them. On the other hand, look at the people who chose to do great things, not for themselves, but for others. Through them, Jesus worked to spread his me...