Homily for Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Holy Ghost Church – 8:00 Mass
Ephesians 3:14-21; Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19; Luke 12:49-53
Audio Recording
What is the fire Jesus speaks of in today’s gospel? The fire he brought to the earth and desires to see blazing? It is the fire of charity that burns for us and for all of God’s creation within the heart of Jesus.
The image of the Sacred Heart shows this flame coming from Christ’s heart. In the Catechism, the Sacred Heart is described as “the chief sign and symbol of that…love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings without exception” (CCC 478). A traditional prayer is “Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of you.” Knowing that Christ’s heart burns with a passionate love for every person, we should desire that our hearts would burn with that same love for all persons.
Back in September of 2015, Holy Ghost Church was enthroned to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During the 3-day Enthronement Mission we heard talks from several people who shared their experience of enthroning the Sacred Heart over their homes and businesses. Deacon Gordy and myself were present for the mission, as was Mary Ann. I shared my story about how I heard the call to the diaconate shortly after Christine and I enthroned our home in 2010.
The Sacred Heart enthronement is a solemn ceremony where Jesus was formally given authority over our parish community. It calls us to a Way of Life that places His Divine Heart at the center of of our lives, calling us to live under the influence of His Love. The Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus been described as: “The Official and Social recognition of the loving Kingship of the Heart of Jesus in the Christian Family.” We honor this enthronement of the Sacred Heart over our parish at the end of every Mass when we pray together, “Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.”
We can bring this devotion into our homes through a similar ceremony during which we declare in a public way that Jesus is the king of our home and our family. When we make this covenant of love with Him, Our Lord honors this covenant by bestowing significant graces and blessings.
This past Sunday was the Memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun who received private revelations from Jesus in the 17th century. Jesus told her that she was to spread the devotion to His Most Sacred Heart, which included receiving Holy Communion on the First Friday of each month. In these visions he promised to bless every dwelling in which an image of his Sacred Heart is both exposed and honored. Jesus made Twelve Promises to Sr. Margaret Mary for all who promise their devotion to his Sacred Heart:
- I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their families.
- I will console them in all their troubles.
- They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
- I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
- Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
- Tepid souls shall become fervent.
- Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
- I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
- I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced
- The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.
The apostolate which promotes the enthronement of the Sacred Heart is located right here in Knoxville. Deacon Gordy and myself are both members of the apostolate. You can learn more about this powerful devotion at sacredheartapostolate.com and you can speak with either Deacon Gordy or myself about having your home or business enthroned. When you enthrone the Sacred Heart in this formal way, he begins to work in your lives as never before. And that’s a promise.
God bless you.