the king of hearts
"Their heart is far from Me." —Mark 7:6
The human heart is:
- tortuous, twisted, deceitful (Jer 17:9),
- beyond repair (Jer 17:9),
- in a state of psychological denial about its fallen condition (see Jer 7:8-9),
- the source of good and evil (see Lk 6:45; Mk 7:21), and
- far away from God (Mk 7:6), when we have the wrong priorities (Lk 12:34).
If, by God's grace and the various "stress tests" of life, we realize that we need a new heart (Ez 36:26), we have nowhere to turn but to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He will give us a new heart by giving us a new life through the waters of Baptism. If our new hearts have been defiled by our sins, Jesus will purify our hearts by forgiving us, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Also, if our new hearts have been broken by the sins committed against us, He will heal our hearts by giving us His power to forgive.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like Yours (see Mt 11:29).
Prayer: "Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may love You more and more."
Promise: "In your observance of the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it." —Dt 4:2
Praise: Praise the exposed, wounded, bleeding, forgiving, loving, risen Heart of Jesus!
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, March 8, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 9, 2000