What message does the Lord offer our hearts through this Sunday’s Gospel?
If we reflect on it and listen, the Holy Spirit will remind us that God desires our hearts to be centered on pleasing him, the Cornerstone of our faith. By “Loving God with all our hearts, minds and souls and loving our neighbor as ourselves” we fulfill the greatest commandment. And, only by the grace of God can we draw closer to this goal.
I offer a few practices that will draw all of us closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
· Daily prayer
· Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
· Frequent reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist
· Loving service to others
· Surrender to God’s will always.
Further reflection will fill our hearts with gratitude. Our loving and infinitely patient God never gives up on us! In spite of our sins, grave or venial, when we are sincerely repentant and beg God’s mercy, our sins are forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and God’s life is restored to our souls.
Recently beatified Blessed Fulton Sheen is a shining example of how we can grow in God’s grace and center our lives on him. Everyday of his priesthood he spent an hour in silent prayer with the Lord. He explained that it is a way “to grow more and more into his likeness.” This deep, personal encounter with Christ, is absolutely necessary to hold us in love with him.
Life is busy and parents, in particular, shoulder many responsibilities so if extended time in church is not possible, begin with even just ten minutes every day in a quiet place in your home. Pray to the Holy Spirit, reflect on a Scripture passage and listen to God’s voice speaking to you. Perseverance in this practice will yield great spiritual fruit in your life and in that of your family.
Let us praise and thank God for his boundless love, patience and perseverance in drawing us to his Sacred Heart. St. Augustine’s timeless reminder pushes us forward because, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”