The attack on marriage is really an attack on the human person, and his dignity, for the devil seeks to pervert our true purpose, to pervert God's holy design. For many of us, we cannot march in protests or write dozens of letters or call numerous times to urge legislators to vote for the Truth. But one thing we can all do is pray and fast. We have designated one day each week to fast for these intentions:

1. That marriage may be preserved, promoted, and understood as God's plan for creation.

2. For all marriages that they may reflect the love of the Trinity.

3. For broken marriages that Christ bring healing and conversion to the spouses' souls.

4. For those who are married, for the sanctification of their marriage and their spouse. For those who are single, for their future spouse and vocation.


Thursday, June 6, 2013

First Friday Fast: Feast of the Sacred Heart

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JMJ
"Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify Its love; and in return, I receive from the greater part only ingratitude, by their irreverence and sacrilege, and by the coldness and contempt they have for Me in this Sacrament of Love. But what I feel most keenly is that it is hearts which are consecrated to Me, that treat Me thus. Therefore, I ask of you that the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi be set apart for a special Feast to honor My Heart, by communicating on that day, and making reparation to It by a solemn act, in order to make amends for the indignities which It has received during the time It has been exposed on the altars. I promise you that My Heart shall expand Itself to shed in abundance the influence of Its Divine Love upon those who shall thus honor It, and cause It to be honored." (Our Lord's Words to St. Margaret Mary, June 16, 1675)
Fulton Sheen once said that when Christ was pierced on the cross, it was the world's first open heart surgery.  In that moment, Christ's life-giving love literally flowed out from His side; His Sacred Heart was open for all to see and adore.  Many people in modern times are deists, those who believe God is a far-off deity who does not involve Himself in the affairs of men. This is a convenient belief which has an underlying denial that God became man to redeem us. Because when we acknowledge that the Word became flesh, when we accept Christ's human nature, we also must accept that in His humanity He can feel, He can love, but He can also be wounded.  In taking on our humanity, He was not fearful of the consequence of giving us His Sacred Heart.  He opened Himself to be despised and ignored, but also to be loved and adored.  

 It is similar in marriage, and family life.  On his wedding day, one gives his heart freely and willingly to another, knowing it could be cherished or neglected.  And then, with each child, a parent gives his heart again not knowing whether it will be loved or wounded.  A child, in turn, gives his heart to his parents, trusting that they will safeguard and treasure it.  Christ gives His love freely without boundaries in an unconditional surrender.  Spouses, in turn, must withhold nothing in giving their heart, their love to one another.  A half cannot receive a whole, and in the same way, when one spouse withholds a part for fear of being hurt, he can never fully receive and be united to the other.

 Families can learn much through devotion to the Sacred Heart, for from His Heart comes inspiration and consolation.  Blessed John Paul II said:
Always keep your eyes on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, King and Center of all hearts. From him you will learn the great lesson of love, goodness, of sacrifice, of piety, so necessary for every Christian family. From him you will obtain strength, serenity, authentic and profound happiness for your married life! You will draw down his blessing, if the image of his Heart -- besides being impressed on your mind -- is always exposed and honored on the wall of your home! (Blessed John Paul II)
Christ first loved in a family, He received love and returned it.  Our Lord teaches us how to love freely, generously, and selflessly.  His is a merciful love, His a forgiving Heart.  Jesus also consoles us in our sorrows; we know He has felt our pain, He has experienced our sufferings. What better way for families to learn to love than to turn to the Heart that eternally burns with love?  As Blessed John Paul II encouraged the faithful:
In this month of June, consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it is natural and a pleasure for me to exhort you to recall to your minds your hope and your prayer to the Heart "which has loved men so much" and which continues to love us with his twofold love, divine and human, especially those who are more troubled, tearful and suffering. From the Heart of Christ, "full of goodness and love", you can obtain strength and comfort in your sufferings, peace in your heart and merit in all your pains!


Twelve Promises of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
 for those who practice this devotion
(with receiving Holy Communion on Nine successive First Fridays)
  1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
  2. I will establish peace in their families.
  3. I will console them in all their troubles.
  4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
  5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
  6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
  7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
  8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
  9. I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
  10. I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
  11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
  12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.
For more information about devotion to the Sacred Heart and Enthronement of the Home go to http://www.sacredheartapostolate.com/
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