“I KNOW YOUR DEEDS; I KNOW YOU ARE NEITHER HOT
NOR COLD. HOW I WISH YOU WERE ONE OR THE OTHER – HOT OR COLD!”
Revelation 3:15
The above quote is part of a letter sent to the Church of Laodicea, a wealthy commercial center, reminding them that as one of the seven Catholic dioceses in Asia, there is an expectation that they are fully committed to all of Jesus’ teachings. Choosing what they believe is important to offer rather than everything Jesus taught, creates a state of spiritual tepidity characterized by indifference and half-heartedness in one’s faith and devotion. By doing so, there is a lack of fervor and zeal that mark a deeply committed relationship with God, making it difficult to experience the fullness of God’s love and purpose.
According to the Seventh Promise of the Sacred Heart, Jesus assures, “Those who are lukewarm shall become fervent;” meaning they will practice having an intense spirit, enthusiasm or zeal, creating a deeper connection with God. In other words, it will ignite a transformation within living out one’s faith with purpose and enthusiasm.
Various Sacred Heart organizations have implemented various approaches to reignite a closer relationship with God, to face life’s challenges, to provide meaning and purpose in service to God and to foster a sense of fulfillment, joy and inner peace. Three areas of concern relate to regular prayer, observing first Fridays and dedicating one’s home and family to the Sacred Heart.
Regular prayer lists the Litany of the Sacred Heart approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1899 consisting of 33 invocations from 1686 to 1899, each one for the life of Jesus and offering a partial indulgence. Also included is the Sacred Heart Chaplet made up of 33 small beads, six large beads, a centerpiece, crucifix and Sacred Heart Medal. On one side of the centerpiece is a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and on the opposite side the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Both are used to deepen one’s devotion and connection to Jesus.
First Friday devotions are observations that consist of attending Mass and receiving Communion on the first Friday for nine consecutive months as Jesus requested in His revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
Dedication of one’s home and family to the Sacred Heart is done through a 12-step enthronement ceremony approved by Pope St. Pius X in 1908. The steps for the family consist of:
Attending Mass on the Sunday prior to enthronement;
Inviting a priest to say the Mass at the home;
Selecting a spot in your home for enthronement of the image (picture or statue) of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at which there is an altar prepared with holy water, a white cloth, flowers, candles;
Blessing of the home where everyone in the family and invited guests are gathered;
Blessing of the image;
Enthronement of the image by the head of the family in a place of honor;
Prayer of the Apostles’ Creed by all present;
Message by priest of the enthronement;
Formula of consecration approved by St. Pius X on May 19, 1908 and for required to gain an indulgence;
Prayer for the missing and deceased with the Lord’s Prayer and Hail Mary;
Consecration of children who may recite a poem or sing a hymn; and
Final Benediction at which the priest blesses those present and a certificate of enthronement can be signed by the priest and the family.
By doing this, Jesus promised to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque eternal salvation to those who do this along with special honor and great blessings and graces would abound.
These ways of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus are invitations to reignite our faith, embrace life’s challenges with vigor and discover a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. By doing so, believers can experience a beautiful renewal, merging as passionate agents of Christ’s love and grace in the world.
As First Friday Friars, let us look to opening our heart to Jesus so we can fully be one with Him in all we are and do. And, go from lukewarm souls to fervent believers.
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