Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

On Friday, June 23, the church will celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Annually, this Feast is placed on the liturgical calendar on the Friday after the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Traditionally, the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus developed in 17th century France particularly through the revelations and the 12 promises given to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and other mystics. The devotion encouraged the practice of personal consecration; the reception of Holy Communion on the first Fridays of the month and prayers on Thursday night between 11 p.m. and midnight as a way of sharing in the suffering of Jesus at Gethsemane. It expanded to include the consecration of homes; the erection of pious societies of the faithful and the naming of Religious Institutes and churches under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Even nations were consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The 1956 encyclical of Pope Pius XII, HAURIETIS AQUAS (You Shall Draw Water), urged the church to foster and practice devotion to the Sacred Heart. Although in recent times the practice of this devotion has somewhat diminished, I suggest it has so much to offer in our time to a sincere Christian who seeks to grow spiritually.

Out of the prominent ruby red heart. On the artistic representation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus emanates a fire. Light surrounds the exposed heart. The hand of the Lord points to His heart. Clearly, the image represents an invitation to experience the love of God made human in the person of Jesus of Nazareth; to be drawn into its warmth; summoned into His personal love which is the love of God; to be enveloped in the light of God and to know Jesus whose human heart is the seat of His divinity.

As human love is always giving of itself, so too God’s love is a giving love. It’s as if the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus says, “I love you.” This is the welcoming, merciful, tender love of God for you. The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus draws the viewer into the love of God. The Lord is offering something which needs to be received — His very love. This offering is graphically expressed in the image which places the heart of Jesus on the outside of His body so that it can be seen. See the love that God gives you and respond to God’s love by allowing yourself to be loved by Christ. No one is excluded or dismissed from His love.

As Christ has opened His heart so too must you. Imitate His love. Receive such unmerited love. God loves you. You are loved by God whom you can encounter where you are most yourself, in your heart. Show His love to others by your charity for them who may be family, community and co-workers. As Jesus did during His earthly ministry, so too practice charity on behalf of the poor, the immigrant, the needy, the refugee, the outcast, the sinner, the sick and the hungry. Devotion to the Sacred Heart reminds us that charity is the Supreme Law of Christ.

On some images the heart of Jesus wears a crown of thorns to suggest that His heart is wounded. Pierced. He suffered. As is true for so many women and men, the heart of Jesus is a wounded heart. His is a needy heart. The need of Christ’s heart is not for itself or its own benefit but for others — for us — for you with the wounds of your sufferings and sins.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can help you to know not only the “breath, depth, length and height of Christ’s love (Ephesians 3:18),” but most importantly, that you are loved by God in Jesus Christ. “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.”