My relationship and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus came to me when I was a young child in my home. It is a simple story.
I grew up with statues around the house and the Sacred Heart of Jesus was located at the top of the stairs where it was impossible to pass without saying, goodnight Jesus, or some prayer. It became a special prayer place. I knew in my heart that God always heard my prayers. I would sometimes get up to say the Our Father for that special request.
So, over the years, Jesus stayed at the top of the stairs in my parents’ house. Unfortunately, after I grew up and left home, there were many years of lost devotion. Much later, when my mother was going through a serious operation, she wanted homes for all the statues in the house. Of course, the statue of the Sacred Heart came home with me, and I set it on a dresser in our bedroom. Sure enough, I ignored it. Later, when we moved so moved the Sacred Heart where now and then, I found myself stopping in front of the statue to pray, from my heart to His, just as I did when I was young.
I noticed, after awhile, that Jesus gave me great comfort praying there from the heart and I know He was talking to my heart. He loves our heart as His little children, and He does not forget how we were as little children. He was smiling at me as more of the little child came out again. I noticed how He was guiding me and showing me the way and giving me great peace. It is what He does best. It is what He always did. One day when I was praying, I had the overwhelming feeling that He wanted me to move him to a more dedicated spot and that I should just sit with Him. This is what I have done. The statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus now has a new spot with a candle. I like to sit and let Jesus be everything to me. That is what God really desires.
He just wants us to sit with Him and let Him be all-loving to us.
You see, He wants His Heart and our heart to be one Heart and
He accomplishes this best when we go to Him and sit with Him.
His heart is the most loving of all hearts and His heart will transform your heart if you let Him and He does it in a most gentle way.
He wants your heart, so give Him your heart.
Try sitting with Him.
He loves you.
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| St. Raphael Sacred Heart Garden |
Blessed Statues are sacramentals and direct our attention to the holy. That is what having the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus did for me. You might want to consider having holy objects in your home to bring the holy to you.
The Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is July 1 this year. It is a moveable feast, which depends on the date of Easter Sunday. It is celebrated 19 days after Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost Sunday is 50 days after Easter. In honor of the Sacred Heart, you are invited to attend daily Mass and stay for Coffee in the Courtyard.
I loved reading the story of your Sacred Heart statue and devotion. My grandmother's house was always filled with prayer cards and religious statues (and also about 500 salt and pepper shakers!). I wish that I knew the faith story behind each of statues because I'm sure they had great personal meaning to her. My grandmother has passed away, so thank you for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteWhen my Mom died, I inherited all her religious items. A statue of Mary (with the broken halo) is my favorite. It sits on my dresser just like she did on Mom's. Mary has been a special person to me all my life.....that is why I am honored to be a member of the Sodality at St. Raphael's.
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