Monday Musings - Review of Healing Promises – The Essential Guide to the Sacred Heart by Anne Costa

I wrote the following review nearly eight years ago. The Church dedicates the month of June each year to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Now is the perfect time to bring this book to your attention.

In one clear and engaging volume, the author has skillfully assembled a treasure trove of information, prayers and personal witnesses to the efficacy of true Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. You will learn of its history, God’s astonishing promises to those who promote and live out this Devotion, related prayers and even a step by step directions as to how to consecrate your home and your family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

You will be uplifted and encouraged by the many stories Anne shares of those whose lives have been forever changed.

Read this book. Ponder its pages. Do the suggested exercises and reflections.  Ask for the grace to faithfully live out this Devotion individually and within your families. Our Lord has assured us that countless blessings and graces will follow.

Be sure to thank Him for the love that flows forth from His Pierced and Sacred Heart and for using Anne Costa as His faithful messenger and guide.

Then, go [run] to your computer or local book store right now and order a copy of this life-changing book, not only for yourself but for those you love.

Eucharistic Reflection - Why Don't We Care?

O Lord, open our eyes, hearts, minds and souls to the Truth and Treasure of Your Presence here among us: 

(Image Source: www. cathopic.com)

"Jesus Christ dwells in the midst of us in the same manner He dwelt at Nazareth amidst His relatives. He was there without being known by them, and without working in their favor, the miracles that He wrought elsewhere. Our blindness and evil dispositions prevent Him from letting us experience the wonderful operations with which He favors those whom He finds well disposed…

Why is it, then, that we have so little feeling, either for the neglect shown to Jesus Christ in the most Blessed Sacrament where He is visited by so few, or for the outrages He there endures, from the very persons who profess to believe in Him? Certainly because the faith of Christians on this point is very weak."

 

  (From Devotion to the Sacred Heart by Father John Croiset, S.J.)

 

 

(This is one of 250 Eucharistic Reflections  you will find in Stirring Slumbering Souls, recent recipient of the Catholic Writer's Guild's Seal of Approval)

Worth Revisiting - Eucharistic Reflection - He Loves Us Even When We Fail To Love Him

Thank you Elizabeth Riordan at Theology Is A Verb for hosting Worth Revisiting each week. It is a privilege to share our work with you and your followers. 

 

Eucharistic Reflection-He Loves Us Even When We Fail To Love Him

(Originally posted on February 23, 2013)

Can this adorable Savior, Who has done so much to gain the hearts of men, refuse anything to those who themselves ask of Him a place in His Heart?

If Jesus Christ allows Himself to be given even to those who do not love Him, and would have Himself carried to dying persons who never condescended to visit Him in their lifetime, and who have been insensible both to the manifest marks of love which He gave them and to the cruel outrages He received in the adorable Eucharist, to persons who have perhaps themselves ill-treated Him, what will He not do for faithful servants who, sensibly touched at seeing their dear Lord so little loved, so rarely visited, so cruelly outraged, make Him atonement, from time to time, for all the insults He receive, and neglect nothing to repair so many offenses, by their frequent visits, their adorations, their homages, and chiefly their ardent love?

Is it not, then, plain that there is nothing more reasonable, more useful, than the practice of this devotion [to the Sacred Heart]? Can it be necessary to use any words in order to persuade Christians to practice it?

(From Devotion to The Sacred Heart by Father John Croiset, S.J.)

Worth Revisiting - Eucharistic Reflection - Not Much Has Changed

We thank Allison Gingras at Reconciled To You  and Elizabeth Riordan at Theology Is A Verb  for hosting Worth Revisiting each week. It is a privilege to share our work with them and their followers.

 

Eucharistic Reflection - Not Much Has Changed

(Originally published on November 30, 2012)

 

Sadly, as noted by Father John Croiset in 1863, the lack of appreciation for the gift of Jesus living physically among us is not a recent development:

 

“There have been newly converted Christians, in the Indies and in Japan, who have traveled more than a hundred leagues every year, to have the consolation of once adoring Jesus Christ in the most Blessed Sacrament, of hearing one single Mass; and they thought nothing of the fatigue, of so difficult a journey, that they might have the happiness of spending half an hour with Jesus Christ.

 

My God! How many will rise up at the day of judgment and will condemn us! We have Jesus Christ in our town; religious persons have Jesus Christ in their own house; and this benefit is esteemed as nothing! And some value it so little, that they only visit Jesus Christ with indifference and even with repugnance, and almost all without devotion.”    

 

           (From Devotion To The Sacred Heart by Father John Croiset, S.J.)

Eucharistic Reflection - What Might the Sentiments of Our Abandoned Lord Be?

“It is good to consider sometimes what must be the sentiments of Jesus Christ upon the Altar on seeing Himself forgotten and abandoned by almost all. We may imagine, at the same time, that He says to us what He said to His Apostles for a similar reason: … ‘Will you also go away ?’ (John 6.67).

(Photo©Michael Seagriff)

At the same time, with the tenderest sentiments of love, grief, and gratitude, we must answer with St. Peter: ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?’ Thou hast the words of eternal life; we have believed and known that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God.’ (John 6: 68-69).

We may also, in order to excite ourselves to greater love, and to force Jesus Christ, as it were, to embrace us with a more tender and ardent charity, represent to ourselves that He asks us from the Altar, as He once asked St. Peter: ‘Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me ?’ (John 21:15). We must reply with the same Apostle: ‘Yes, Lord, Thou knowest well that I love Thee' (John 21:16);or rather, my loving Savior, Thou knowest how much I desire to love Thee.

(From Devotion to the Sacred Heart by Father John Croiset, S.J.)