19 Jun
Fri
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Hos. 11:1,3-4,8-9
(R. Ps.) Is. 12:2-3,4,5-6
Eph. 3:8-12,14-19
Jn. 19:31-37
(Psalter proper)
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Whenever we discuss the importance of the heart, the words of a famous French philosopher are often quoted: "The heart has its reasons which the reason (the mind) cannot comprehend." Various religions remind us that there is a distinction between the mind and the heart and that, unfortunately, the distinction can become an opposition. Growth in holiness usually demands an integration of the heart and the mind, a unity of truth and love.

We must hold mind and heart in a certain tension, the one complementing the other. In general we cannot love what we do not know. With our minds, we strive to understand and accept Jesus' truth. We must also accept that truth into our hearts and love it. Then it becomes the fountain of all our actions. In the Gospels, Jesus never called himself the "Sacred Heart". He did call himself "the Way, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6) and called upon us "to love each other as he loved us" (John 15:12). The Sacred Heart is a concrete symbol of Jesus' love for us. Accepting the truth of this love will enable us to become loving people, capable of true love.



Jesus, You are our Way, our Truth and our Life. Lead us in the pathways of truth that we may love each other as You loved us.

Say the daily
Novena to the Sacred Heart

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That International attention towards the poorer countries may give rise to more concrete help, in particular to relieve them of the crushing burden of foreign debt.
Elaboration

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