ABLAZE KEYNOTE 12/4/2016
PRAYER
O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
for Whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted,
have pity on us miserable sinners
and grant us the grace which we ask of You,
through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Your tender Mother and ours.
—St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
THE KING OF THE KINGDOM: BURNING DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
I.The Sacred Heart = The Physical Heart of Christ that Reveals
A.His divine love that He shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit
B.His infused burning love
1.That enriches His human will
2.That enlightens and governs all His acts
C.His sensible love
II.Features of the Image of The Sacred Heart of Jesus
A.The Crown of Thorns—His Passion (Our Suffering)
B.The Cross—His Death (Our Way and Death)
C.Fire—The Holy Spirit (The Mission of Love)
D.Wound—Grace and Mercy (Our Re-birth/Re-creation/Redemption)
E.Sunburst—Glory (Our Resurrection)
III.Scriptural Focus: John 19:28-37
A.“Blood and Water”
1.Blood—Eucharist
2.Water—Baptism/Reconciliation
B.Primacy of Grace and Mercy
1.Grace—God granting what we do not deserve
2.Mercy (Forgiveness we accept; help with which we cooperate)
a.God withholding what we deserve according to justice
b.God helping us in our wretchedness and weakness
IV.Some Development According to Tradition
A.St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
B.St. Bonaventure (1221-1274)
C.Saint Frances of Rome (1384-1440)
D.St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
E.St. John Eudes (1601-1680)
F.St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
G.St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938)
QUESTIONS
I.Which of the images associated with The Sacred Heart of Jesus strikes you the most— the Crown of Thorns, the Cross, the fire, the wound, or the sunburst? Why?
II.Do you have any practices or observances that help you in deepening your devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? What attracts you to these practices or observances?
MISSION
I.Morning Prayer to the Sacred Heart
II.Mental Prayer: 5/5/5 (children) or 10/10/10 (teen/adult)
A.Gospel of the Day or Any Passages from Scripture
B.Stories or Writings of Saints
C.Passages from Theological or Catechetical Writings
D.Particular Decades of the Rosary
E.Visual Images
III.Examination of Conscience followed by an Act of Contrition: Did I practice devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus?
A.What “crosses” did God offer me this day? Did I not only accept but even embrace them to console Christ’s Sacred Heart?
B.Did my heart burn with the fire of Christ’s Sacred Heart in love for God and for neighbor? What did I allow to snuff out this fire?
C.Did any “wounds” inflicted upon me today increase grace and mercy in me and pour forth to others, especially those who hurt me?
D.Did I radiate Christ’s love to others through my thoughts, words, and deeds?