My dear parishioners,
Peace! The Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions the Heart of Jesus variously. “Scripture is a unity by reason of the unity of God’s plan, of which Christ Jesus is the center and heart, open since His Passover. The phrase ‘heart of Christ’ can refer to Sacred Scripture, which makes known His heart, closed before the Passion, as the Scripture was obscure” (CCC, 112; cf. Luke 24:25-27, 44-46; Psalm 22:14). how in view of the incarnation He loves with a human heart, and “the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation ‘is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that … love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings’ without exception” (cf. CCC, 470, 478; John 19:34; Pius XII Encyclical Haurietis aquas). One part of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, VHM (+1690) mystically received the promises. Here we consider the first of the twelve promises: I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
The Greek word charis, translated as “grace” is found in the New Testament more than 170 times. Grace is a gift from God (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:3; 2 Corinthians 8:19). Grace is the divine influence upon the heart and is reflected in the life of the recipient. The blessedness of heaven which Christians receive is said to be a grace (cf. 1 Peter 1:13). The grace which Christ the Lord won for us and our salvation on Good Friday is sufficient for our redemption, pouring forth from His Sacred Heart (cf. John 16:33; 19:34; 2 Corinthians 12:9). These graces are normally transmitted to us by means of the Sacraments, especially Baptism, Eucharist and Penance.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, OP (+1274) treats “grace” in his Summa Theologiae (I-II Q. 109-114). Closer to our day the Dominican Thomist Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, OP (+1964), who taught a young Karol Wojtyla, picked up where Saint Thomas left off, addressing “grace” under the following headings: the necessity of grace (without grace we cannot be saints), the divisions (or different sorts) of grace, sufficient grace, efficacious grace (that which allows us to conform to God’s holy will), the cause of grace (God Himself), the effects of grace (our sanctification and right living).
The Lord Jesus promises that those who are devoted to the Sacred Heart will receive the blessings of His power, presence, and grace in their lives. The various states of life, Married, Professed Religious, Ordained, all require divine assistance. Whatever our vocation, our calling, this is our “state of life.” A state of life differs from a state of grace (i.e. without mortal sin) and a state of residence (i.e. Tennessee). Apart from the grace of God which pours forth from the Sacred Heart of Jesus we will fail miserably any attempt to walk in holiness. With God’s grace, Heaven awaits!
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr