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 third of the twelve promises: I will console them in all their troubles.
What a consolation to know that the Lord Jesus Himself, has promised to console those who are devoted to His Sacred Heart. Which of us would say we have never seen troubles? Which of us would say that troubles will never befall us? Sadly, sometimes, we bring trouble upon us by our sins. Not all smokers get lung cancer, but some do. Not all whiskey drinkers destroy their liver, but some do. Other times the sins of others bring troubles upon us. When a bank robber steals our possessions, trouble is upon us. When a drunk driver plows into another car, there is trouble for sure.
Recall the great American musician Louis Daniel Armstrong (+1971) who recorded a version of the old spiritual “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen.” Armstrong was baptized at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in New Orleans. “Serial monogamy” (among other sins) may call into question a true devotion to the Sacred Heart. The Lord Jesus does know that troubles we have seen.
The prophet Isaiah 53:3-5 helps us to understand this promise of the Sacred Heart. “He was despised and forsaken of men. A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face. He was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore. Our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of god and afflicted. He was pierced through for our transgression. He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him. By Hi stripes we are healed.” This promise of the Sacred Heart makes it clear that it is not any false gods, but only the God of Israel, who can save us in the time of trouble (cf. Jeremiah 2:28).
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus consoles us in our many troubles.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr