Day Six: Love that is active, practical, and effective.
Opening Prayer: Father, for Your glory and our salvation, You appointed Jesus Christ eternal High Priest. May the people He gained for your by His blood come to share in the power of His cross and resurrection. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading: 1 John 3: 14-18 Let us love in deed and in truth, and not merely talk about it
John 21:15-17 If you love me, feed by lambs, tend my sheep
Reflection: Who really imitates the love of the Sacred Heart? Who is really devoted to the Sacred Heart? The person who talks about love but doesn’t show it? Or the person who may not talk much about it, but quietly performs deeds of love? The answer is obvious. Jesus told us a story about the two sons (Matt. 21:28-31). The son who did go out and work in the vineyard is the one that Jesus admired and loved. He did what the father wanted. Our love too is to show itself in action, in deeds of love.
In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter gives a very brief and beautiful description of Jesus. He is the one who went about doing good works (Acts 10:38). His Sacred Heart was filled with love and compassion, and He constantly showed this love by His many deeds of healing and teaching.
One cold night, a man saw a child hungry and cold, without much clothing. He became angry and said to God: Why do you permit this? Why don’t you do something about this? For a while God said nothing. Then the conscience of the man spoke to him. It was the voice of God. God said, I did do something. I created you to help that child.
Resolution/Practice: 1. We commit not only sins by bad actions, but by omitting good actions. Think of how I may have, and should have helped someone, but was too tired or too busy.
2. Give something extra this week to the poor, through the St. Vincent de Paul Society or through your local parish.
3. Think of an elderly person who may be lonely and would enjoy a visit. Perhaps you could bring some small food or drink when you visit that person.
This Novena in Honor of the Sacred Heart was written by Rev. Peter Schineller S.J. for the Apostleship of Prayer/League of the Sacred Heart.
Recent Comments