It is funny, but every time people would ask me nowadays, "Father, where do you live?" I reply with a smile "In the Sacred Heart of Jesus."My dear people of God, I truly pray that we all appreciate the goodness of God for having sheltered all of us in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
It is in the Heart of Jesus that we are able to experience the meeting point of heaven and earth. It is in the inner sanctum of His heart that we are able to reach the heavens and proclaim His Glory! The Heart, according to His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales is the place of decision. It is deeper than our psychic drives. It is the place of truth where we choose life or death. It is the place of our encounter and covenant.
On the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, may we intimately respond with love and faithfulness as we take care of our own hearts. All prayers come from the heart of every person. It is the heart that prays. If our heart is far from God, "the words of prayer are in vain." (CCC. 2562).
In all Churches, the Novena of the Sacred Heart is prayed devoutly. All people are drawn to Jesus, not simply to ask favors and petitions but most importantly, to feel His encompassing Love and Presence every day. In Him, we find comfort and only in Jesus, do we find a dwelling place. This is not only a tradition but a manifestation of faith in Jesus, Who is all knowing and all loving.
He is Jesus who unfailingly invites everyone:
Come to Me, all you labor and are burdened,
And I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me,
For I am meek and humble of heart;
And you will find rest for yourselves.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)
And I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me,
For I am meek and humble of heart;
And you will find rest for yourselves.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)
As we seek His Love and Mercy,
May our hearts be transformed to be like His.
However, loving demands a far greater task:
May our hearts be transformed to be like His.
However, loving demands a far greater task:
TO KNOW HIM
If we get to know Him more and more
we cannot help but TO FALL IN LOVE with Him
over and over again.
Knowing is loving
And loving is knowing God's will for all of us.
May we all pray:
Jesus, meek and humble of Heart
Make our hearts like unto thine.
Happy Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!
If we get to know Him more and more
we cannot help but TO FALL IN LOVE with Him
over and over again.
Knowing is loving
And loving is knowing God's will for all of us.
May we all pray:
Jesus, meek and humble of Heart
Make our hearts like unto thine.
Happy Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!
Fr. Victor Y. Apacible
Parish Priest
NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART
Makati City, Philippines
Parish Priest
NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART
Makati City, Philippines
