Whenever the pain of loss confronts us our peace comes through the Heart of Christ

Whenever the pain of loss confronts us our peace comes through the Heart of Christ

We always enjoy viewing the Hearts of Jesus and Mary anytime our peace appears corrupted.  When unexpected tragedies confront our well-being we look for an answer as to why things happen.  Of course this is the age-old question that ministers, theologians, and even your mother have never been able to explain to a questioning person.

Looking at the picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus can have an enduring sense of peace if our attention lies within the knowledge of his time on the cross and the soldier’s lance piercing his side.  Once the spear penetrated the right side of his lifeless body water and blood poured  forth from the heart of our savior.

St. John described this phenomenon as the water representing our baptism and the blood denoting the Eucharist.  Some may say this is just hyper-bole but what Jesus presented at the Last Supper by giving us his Body and Blood now becomes a reality on the Cross.

Sit and contemplate your weakness because of sin; visualize this water and blood from the Heart of Christ is the purity of his forgiveness.  There are many preachers who speak about the different positions our mind can conjure up seeking his forgiveness but the Transubstantiation we believe in and share at each Mass are the very same elements issuing from the heart of Jesus as he hung on the cross and delivered then and now the total mercy God has promised.  

There is no doubt that what we as Roman Catholics have the privilege of receiving any time we attend Mass is the very same Eucharist given us when Jesus lifted up the bread and wine, now his Body and Blood, at the Last Supper and from the cross confirming this life-giving gift to you and me.

No matter how inspiring some preachers may be, they just do not have what we retain through Apostolic Succession, the priesthood of Christ through Holy Orders.  Most of them know what they don’t have and makes me wonder if they are so intrigued with this why they do not accept catholicism and come over.  

More than just the knowledge we attain through his Sacred Heart, there is a very deep and endearing peace that we are able to share when our hearts open to his.  

A poem I composed in 1985 and it has sustained my adoration to his heart.  It goes; “O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I love you, I adore you, I worship you, please come into my heart and stay with me forever.  For my need is your mercy, my desire is your Will, my hope is your passion, my food for faith your most heavenly graces.  All that I receive from you is meaning for existing, reason for living, courage to face death when it beckons.  This very day I consecrate my whole being, mind, and soul to your Most Sacred Heart.”

Ralph B. Hathaway