M
MariaChristi
Guest
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
First Friday Devotion continues in the Church, but perhaps some parishes are more aware of it than others. It seems to me, Catholics after Vatican II began to pay less attention to individual “devotions”. Granted, we can sometimes become “overloaded” and lose the simplicity God desires of us in our relationship with Him, in prayer; but some devotions, like devotion to the Sacred Heart and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (esp. First Saturdays), in particular, are important. Why?
Jesus is our Way, our Truth and our Life – His Heart is a symbol of His Infinite Love and Mercy. He has told us in the Gospel (Mt.11: 28-30) “Learn of Me for I am Meek and Humble of Heart”. Mary’s Immaculate Heart is likewise a symbol of her whole-hearted gift of self to God, in union with her Son, for love of God and love of us, His Children – whom Jesus also gave to her from His Cross. Jesus told us in John’s Gospel (Jn 19:27) “Behold Your Mother” that we might also take her into our lives.
So today, I encourage all to spend some special time with the Lord, today, in returning love for His Love. Even if we are unable to participate at Mass and Holy Communion we can yet offer ourselves in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being offered somewhere in the world at all times. We can have “spiritual communion” with Jesus in our hearts. We can pray in reparation for our sins and the sins of the world. Anyone unfamiliar with the First Friday devotion can learn more HERE
First Friday Devotion continues in the Church, but perhaps some parishes are more aware of it than others. It seems to me, Catholics after Vatican II began to pay less attention to individual “devotions”. Granted, we can sometimes become “overloaded” and lose the simplicity God desires of us in our relationship with Him, in prayer; but some devotions, like devotion to the Sacred Heart and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (esp. First Saturdays), in particular, are important. Why?
Jesus is our Way, our Truth and our Life – His Heart is a symbol of His Infinite Love and Mercy. He has told us in the Gospel (Mt.11: 28-30) “Learn of Me for I am Meek and Humble of Heart”. Mary’s Immaculate Heart is likewise a symbol of her whole-hearted gift of self to God, in union with her Son, for love of God and love of us, His Children – whom Jesus also gave to her from His Cross. Jesus told us in John’s Gospel (Jn 19:27) “Behold Your Mother” that we might also take her into our lives.
So today, I encourage all to spend some special time with the Lord, today, in returning love for His Love. Even if we are unable to participate at Mass and Holy Communion we can yet offer ourselves in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being offered somewhere in the world at all times. We can have “spiritual communion” with Jesus in our hearts. We can pray in reparation for our sins and the sins of the world. Anyone unfamiliar with the First Friday devotion can learn more HERE