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 fifth of the twelve promises: I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.
Which one of us would not like to have the blessings of the Lord upon our undertakings? The private revelation given to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, VHM, concerning the blessing of all undertakings is not foreign to the public revelation given in Sacred Scripture. Ephesians 1:3 wrote about “every spiritual blessing” coming to us through Jesus Christ. Proverbs 10:22 reminds us that even temporal blessings are from the Lord. Genesis 49:25 reminds us further of blessings coming from Almighty God. Deuteronomy 28:12 extends the Lord’s promises to bless the work of our hands. The Lord Jesus Himself assures us of further blessings, even in the face of seemingly human impossibility, reminding us that with God, all good things are possible (cf. Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23).
When the work of our hands is good and honest and true the Lord promises to bless our undertakings. If our work is dishonest, evil and wrong why should we expect the blessings of the Lord? Doctors, lawyers, and sanitation engineers are not the only people who have noble professions. All with noble endeavors should expect the blessings of the Lord. Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians 3:23 highlights that our work should all be done for the Lord. When our labors are for Him how could He fail to bless us? The Jesuit motto ad maiorem Dei gloriam seems to echo Philippians 4:8 that we should think and act on what is good and true. Those who are not devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus or whose labors are nefarious seem to forfeit their access to the promises and blessings of the Sacred Heart. God wants to bless our plans (cf. Jeremiah 29:11). We should make not only human consultation but supernatural consultation also through prayer and study that all our noble endeavors and plans might be blessed by the Lord (cf. Proverbs 15:22).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr