Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, responding to your call, I come to you so that you might teach me the ways of your Heart and transform my heart into yours; make me gentle and humble, faithful and passionate in my love, zealous and generous in my service to others.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you and like the Beloved Apostle, I draw near to you, asking that you hear my prayers and help me in my needs. During this novena I especially ask that you grant me the graces that I am seeking: _____.
Christ-Jesus, you are rich in mercy and love and so I believe that in your Pierced Heart, I will always discover a true place of refreshment and rest. Never let me be parted from you and grant that I may always find in your Heart the strength, protection and sustenance which I so greatly need.
Sacred Heart of Jesus burning out of love for me….inflame my heart with love for you!
Reflection
Heart of Jesus, vessel of love…
Vessels are made to be filled. Whether big or small, clay or steal, the vessels purpose is fulfilled in being filled. The heart is a vessel and it too is meant for such a purpose. There are many things that we can try to fill our hearts with, but alas, nothing is capable of brimming the vessels of our hearts. Only love can fill the heart. The human heart was made for love.
Jesus, although divine, his Heart is human and like all other men, his Heart could only be filled with love. Being the perfect man, his Heart is the perfect vessel: filled to the rim with love.
It is true that vessels are meant to be filled, but that’s only part of their purpose. Why fill something, if not to pour it out? Vessels that are full are meant to be made empty; they are made to be poured out, to give that what they contain inside. The human heart is made to be loved, but also to love. A heart that doesn’t give its love away, pour its love out upon those around him, is still incubating in state of immaturity. The fully developed, mature human heart, gives what it has received; it loves as it has been love.
The vessel of Jesus’ heart is overflowing with love. His “…cup overflows”(Ps23:5). At the Cross we see the vessel of his Heart cracked open with the jab of a lance and thus pour out its rich content upon all of humanity. “…the love of God has been poured out within our hearts…”(Rom5:5). Jesus empties the vessel of his Sacred Heart in order to fill the brittle clay vessels of our hearts. “…we have this treasure in earthen vessels …”(2Cor4:7). He gives his love away with the hope that we might be filled with it and then upon repletion, turn and love those around us by allowing our hearts to be cracked open like his with the pierce of love. “I am already being poured out as a drink offering…”(2Tim4:6). Like a water mill that turns faster and faster as each receptacle is filled with water, the more Jesus’ divine love spreads from one vessel to another, the more intense will his powerful love be known and experienced throughout the world. “So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us…” (Eph5:1-2).
The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
(Prayed each day as the Concluding prayer)
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mother by the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, united substantially with the word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty,
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God,
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High,
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven,
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity,
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love,
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues,
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise,
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts,
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of the Divinity,
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased,
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received,
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills,
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy,
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who invoke you,
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness,
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, saturated with contempt,
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses,
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto death,
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance,
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation,
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation,
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins,
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in you,
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in you Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints
V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart.
R. Make my heart more like yours.
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