On June 15, 2012, the Novena prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Sto. Niño was led by Sister Malou before the 5:45 PM Mass that celebrated the feast of the Sacred Heart.
Father Jun Sescon presided the Holy Mass after the Novena. As mentioned by Father Jun’ in his homily, the devotion, which is now universal, started from the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary, on June 16, 1675, where Christ asked St. Margaret Mary to request that the Feast of the Sacred Heart be celebrated on the Friday after the octave (or eighth day) of the Feast of Corpus Christi, in reparation for the ingratitude of men for the sacrifice that Christ had made for them. The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents not simply His physical heart, but His love for all mankind. (Source: http://www.catholic.org)
Father Jun shared in his homily that the Feast of the Sacred Heart is a special triune celebration for his family. His mom renews the enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on this day by giving an image of the Sacred Heart as a wedding gift to newly married couples with the prayer that the love of God be enthroned in their family. He was also baptized on this day and the birthday of his sister is also celebrated on this particular day.
Father Jun invited the parishioners who attended the said Mass to reflect on the Gospel for the day which was taken from St. John, 19:31-37 and to think of Jesus whom we have pierced. This invitation is in relation to a reflection shared by Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, who considered the Centurion’s falling on his knees after he pierced the side of Jesus and blood and water flowed out, as a an act of Eucharistic Adoration. He beheld the Body of Christ and acknowledged Him to be the Son of God, whose heart lived. He experienced conversion and the transforming grace of Christ, looking at Jesus’ wounded heart.
Our God has a heart – a peaceful, suffering, joyful heart. The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is not for self-preservation, but for self-surrender; for self-giving, which releases what destroys the family, one’s dignity and salvation. Father Jun invited the parishioners to allow Jesus’ heart to be a guide in eliminating division and pride. He, then, led everyone to a prayer, imploring God’s grace to make our hearts sacred (pierced) with the crown of thorns, wounded, and broken in order to gain the grace of peace, unity and sincere love. He ended by thanking God for showing us HIS heart and asking for pardon for the many times we have pierced Jesus’ heart, wounded others and ourselves. He also asked for the grace that will fortify our hearts and make our hearts like Jesus’.
- by Michele L. Mariquit
Reflection:
Heart Aflame; Love despised
Here is the heart that has so loved men as to spare nothing from them, exhausting and consuming itself in order to prove its love for them; and in return I receive, from most of them, only ingratitude.” These are the very words that Jesus said to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque while she was praying before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, a very profound message that shows the great mercy and love of God for all mankind. Jesus calls us into a divine union with Him, a union similar to the one He has with His Father. His heart yearns for souls who will welcome Him in their hearts. Hearts that can be His resting place and refuge as the world continues to reject Him. He mourns and weeps with us when we are in pain and suffering. But who can mourn and weep with Him? Who can be with Him when people choose the world rather than the One who created it? Who can stand on the foot of the cross and join the Blessed Mother and grieve for our Crucified Christ?
Pierced with a lance and nailed on the cross, He endured all the bitterness so that we may taste the sweetness and fullness of life He has promised. He died, so that we may live together with His elects. But have we ever thought of that ineffable sweetness Jesus pours on each one of us? Indeed, Love itself is never loved back; instead it continues to suffer the infidelities and ingratitude of man. Despite our sinfulness, He continues to calls us to conversion to mold us into His own image and likeness. His love knows no boundaries that even the most grievous sin we committed He can easily forget as long as we ask for forgiveness and call on His mercy. Jesus deals with us like a father to a prodigal son and Shepherd to the lost sheep when we go astray.
I have always been a prodigal daughter to our God. Like Peter I have denied Him several times, especially in times when courage and perseverance are greatly needed to carry-out His plans, which seem so impossible for me to live-out because they are against my own will. I am unworthy of any consolation and graces, but despite my stubbornness and disobedience, He still lavishes His love on me. He has done so much, yet I have done nothing for Him. He is and will always be my greatest confidant. His eyes are on me that a gaze would melt my hardened heart, penetrating my soul with so much love and mercy calling me to repentance… calling me to start a new life with Him. Thus, I am moved to pray: bind my heart, oh Lord, to the cross You were crucified and let me not depart from Your side. Pierce my heart with the same nails that pierced Your hands on that wooden cross and unite my pain with all the pains that You have suffered. May my heart beat in attune to the beating of Thy Sacred heart, oh Lord until it beats its last.
Jesus’ heart is burning for love and, at the same time, thirsting for souls who will come to Him.
It is always by God’s grace and our own openness to His word that we could be led back to Him.
May our hearts may be attuned to the beating of His heart so that we will remain as one in body, mind and spirit.
Today Jesus is knocking at the doors of your heart; can you be His resting place?
He is waiting.
- by Genevieve Cenit