With the Heart Comes Mercy: Weekly Message for 05-31-16

Dear Fellow Digital Pilgrim:

Throughout the past month our devotion to Mary has been leading us to her son Jesus. The blessings continue as we embark upon the month of June, traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Recently I was asked about the connection between devotion to the Sacred Heart and the message of Divine Mercy. One could say that the Sacred Heart devotion is about our response to the Lord, and the message of Divine Mercy is about His devotion to us.

In 1956 Pope Pius XII wrote in his encyclical on the Sacred Heart, “Consequently, the honor paid to the Scared Heart is such as to raise it to the rank—so far as external practice is concerned—of the highest expression of Christian piety. For this is the religion of Jesus which is centered on the Mediator who is man and God, and in such a way that we cannot reach the Heart of God, save through the Heart of Christ.” 

Our Lord asked St. Margaret Mary that the image of His Sacred Heart be honored and venerated by all the faithful. St. Margaret Mary wrote, “[The Sacred Heart] must be honored under the symbol of this heart of flesh, whose image He wished to be publicly exposed….Wherever this sacred image would be exposed for public veneration He would pour forth His graces and blessings.” 

In Jesus’ first apparition to her in 1673, He said, “My Divine Heart is so passionately in love with men that it can no longer withhold the flames of that burning love.” The Sacred Heart devotion thus enables us to experience Christ’s infinite love that is so passionate — and merciful.

The aspect of mercy in the fiery love that emanates from the Sacred Heart has been highlighted by the Divine Mercy message. Our Lord told St. Faustina, “My daughter, know that My Heart is mercy itself. From this sea of mercy, graces flow out upon the whole world. No soul that has approached Me has ever gone away unconsoled.” (Diary, 1777). 

When we look at the Divine Mercy image of the Merciful Savior, we see rays of blood and water emanating from His pierced Heart. The rays emanate outward, as if searching for humanity’s wounds that beg to be healed.

Divine Mercy impels us to share the message of mercy with a hurting world. How many around us have been ravaged by divorce, abuse, addictions, pornography, lies, and deception? So many souls wander like lost sheep just waiting to be devoured by the world. If you won the lottery or discovered a cure for cancer, wouldn’t you immediately call family and friends and tell the whole world? When we experience Divine Mercy, are we not even more compelled to share this incredible message?

Divine Mercy tells of our Heavenly Father who is always ready to forgive, in whom we can trust even in the most difficult circumstances. Divine Mercy urges us to be merciful in turn, to be patient and hold our tongues even when we feel angry or self-righteous. Divine Mercy is about our God who is Love, reminding us that he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Today let your actions be motivated by love for God. Let your heart overflow with mercy, leaving no room for discouragement or anxiety. Strive to emanate God’s merciful love, reflecting the image of the Merciful Savior to all you encounter.

Thank you for being part of the RCSpirituality family as a digital pilgrims and missionaries! We hope to continue bringing to you resources that help you Pray, Learn, Grow, and Go! in order to help bring you closer to the heart of Christ.

I will be keeping you and your intentions especially in my prayers.

God bless you!  

United in the heart of Christ,

Lucy Honner

lucy@rcspirituality.org