The Sacred Heart
June is the month to reflect on the heart of Jesus, a powerful symbol of love and compassion for all of humanity. It reminds us of Jesus’s incredible suffering and the endless love He showed, especially through His heart that was pierced on the Cross. This time is a chance for us to express our love for Christ and ask for His grace and mercy.
A wonderful way to describe this kind of love in Christian terms is “agape.” Agape is an open, unconditional love that invites us to embrace all parts of ourselves and the world around us. When we embody agape, we become open to everything and can share the healing power of love. I think of it like gentle rain that falls without discrimination, touching everyone equally. It brings to mind a beautiful passage from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus encourages us to love our enemies and pray for them: “so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44-45).
So, how do we choose to practice agape? Prayer is the key! We can start by praying for ourselves and for those we love or care about. Here’s the challenging part: we should also include those with whom we might be in conflict. When we pray for them, let’s do so without anger or judgment but with an open and loving heart. This practice can truly shift our feelings toward them and help mend the conflict.
We can also extend our prayers to all living beings and our world at large. This loving practice creates a sense of openness in our hearts and helps us feel connected to everyone, reflecting the oneness that comes from the heartbeat of God. In that flow of love, I hold onto Julian of Norwich’s comforting wisdom: “All will be well, and all manner of things will be well.”
Peace,
Melissa McCoy
Melissa McCoy
Maryville Chaplain
Saints Peter and Paul
Sts. Peter and Paul may be celebrated as incredible figures, brave martyrs, and key pillars of our faith, but it’s important to remember that they were also just regular people with their own flaws. So, who were they?
St. Peter was an apostle, the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and the first pope.
St. Paul had a remarkable conversion story, was a prolific writer, and traveled as a passionate preacher and evangelist.
What stands out most in their stories is not just their talents, but the life-changing encounter they had with Christ. They experienced a deep, healing love that truly set them free. Peter and Paul show us what it means to be part of a Church that is in our hands, but also guided with love and care by the Lord. It is comforting to know that He is the one leading the Church.
Here’s something to ponder:
Spend some time reading scripture passages about Peter and Paul. Keep in mind that they were real people with real lives, just like us, facing their own fears and challenges.
How do you relate to them? Do you accept that God loves you deeply, flaws and all?
Be sure to check out The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 3:14-19.
*Summary from The Companion Book of Catholic Days, by Karen Edmisten.
Memorare to the Sacred Heart
Remember, O most sweet Jesus, that no one who has had recourse to Thy Sacred Heart, implored its help, or sought its mercy was ever abandoned. Encouraged with confidence, O tenderest of hearts, we present ourselves before Thee, crushed beneath the weight of our sins. In our misery, O Sacred Hear. of Jesus, despise not our simple prayers, but mercifully grant our requests.
