Today’s first reading brings to mind that saying, “What goes around, comes around.” There was a popular song when I was younger and part of the lyrics were, “you get what you put in, and people get what they deserve.” My husband and I have had some discussion about that last line. Do people get what they deserve? Something to ponder.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The psalm for today is, “Blessed the man who fears the Lord.” With Pentecost having just passed, I was reflecting on the Gifts of the Spirit. I quizzed our children to make sure they remembered the seven gifts; piety, wisdom, understanding, fortitude, counsel, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. Then, I sent a messaged all the girls I have sponsored for Confirmation over the years. I thought it was a good time to check in with them and acknowledge the day. Little practices like this are good for us as much as for the people we are reaching out to. I know I need all the help I can get!
At the beginning of this month, I was bombarded with “pride” propaganda. Our local library had grown women dressed up like rainbow fairies waving flags and promoting modernistic “love.” Even people I know and love were blasting their social media feeds with this same material. While I was (and am) disheartened, I quickly reoriented myself and got to praying. It seems to me, that our world has quite literally neglected healthy Fear of the Lord. It concerns me perhaps more than I can convey it here to you on this corner of my writings.
I knew I could not sit quietly, for that was be approval by omission. Some of our adult children had seen the celebrating of pride month by their extended relatives and came to us expressing disappointment.
Cease an Opportunity
I used the opportunity to share what this month is really about, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is a beautiful devotion dating back to early Christianity. It gained momentum in the 17th century through visions by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. There is so much richness, history, and information about this devotion. I encourage you to research it and pray about incorporating it into your life. Below is the Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Act of Consecration
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.
Amen.
. — St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
from the book Devotion To The Sacred Heart
Finally, today’s gospel is a humbling reminder to go to our Father in private. “Your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Do the goodness without pomp and circumstance. It is so countercultural in our society. Yet, like I tell our children, “God sees all.”
