Devotion to the Sacred Heart in June: day 27
27nd June
Our Father, who art in heaven, may your name be sanctified, your kingdom come, your will be done, as in heaven as on earth. Give us our daily bread today, forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Invocation. - Heart of Jesus, victim of sinners, have mercy on us!
Intention. - Pray for the Missionaries to convert the infidels.
SLOWNESS
In the book of Revelation (III - 15) we read the reproach that Jesus made to the Bishop of Laodicea, who had slowed down in divine service: - Your works are known to me and I know that you are neither cold; nor hot. Or were you cold or hot! But as you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit you out of my mouth ... Do penance. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone listens to my voice and opens the door for me, I will enter him. -
As Jesus rebuked the lukewarmness of that Bishop, so rebuked it in those who put themselves at his service with little love. Lukewarmness, or spiritual sloth, makes God sick, even provoking him to vomit, speaking in human language. A cold heart is often preferable to a warm one, because the cold could become heated, while the warm soles always remain so.
Among the promises of the Sacred Heart we have this: The lukewarm will become fervent.
Since Jesus wanted to make an explicit promise, it means that he wants the devotees of his Divine Heart to be all fervent, full of enthusiasm in doing good, interested in the spiritual life, caring and delicate with Him.
Let's consider what lukewarmness is and what are the remedies to resurrect it.
Lukewarmness is a certain boredom in doing good and in escaping evil; consequently the lukewarm ones neglect the duties of the Christian life very easily, or they perform them badly, with negligence. Examples of lukewarmness are: neglect prayer for laziness; pray carelessly, effortlessly to be collected; to postpone a good proposal overnight, without then implementing it; do not put into practice the good inspirations that Jesus makes us feel with loving insistence; neglect many acts of virtue in order not to impose sacrifices; give little thought to spiritual progress; more than anything, to commit many small venial faults, voluntarily, without remorse and without the desire to correct themselves.
Lukewarmness, which in itself is not a serious fault, can lead to mortal sin, because it makes the will weak, unable to resist a strong temptation. Regardless of light or venial sins, the lukewarm soul places itself on a dangerous slope and could fall into grave guilt. The Lord says so: Whoever despises the little things, will gradually fall into the big (Eccl., XIX, 1).
Lukewarmness is not confused with dryness of spirit, which is a particular state in which even the holiest souls can find themselves.
The arid soul does not experience spiritual joys, on the contrary it often has boredom and repugnance to do good; however it does not neglect it. Try to please Jesus in everything, avoiding small voluntary shortcomings. The state of aridity, not being voluntary or even guilty, does not displease Jesus, indeed it gives him glory and brings the soul to a high degree of perfection, detaching it from sensitive tastes.
What must be fought is lukewarmness; devotion to the Sacred Heart is its most effective remedy, having Jesus made the formal promise "The lukewarm will become fervent".
Therefore, one is not a true devotee of the Heart of Jesus, if one does not live fervently. To do this:
1. - Be careful not to easily commit small deficiencies, voluntarily, with your eyes open. When you have the weakness to make some of them, you immediately remedy by asking Jesus for forgiveness and by doing one or two good works in repair.
2. - Pray, pray often, pray carefully and do not neglect any devoted exercise out of boredom. Who does meditation well every day, even for a short time, will certainly overcome lukewarmness.
3. - Do not let the day go by without offering Jesus some small mortifications or sacrifices. The exercise of spiritual florets restores fervor.
Lessons of fervor
An Indian by the name Ciprà, who had converted from paganism to the Catholic faith, had become a fervent devotee of the Sacred Heart.
In a work injury he suffered a hand injury. He left the Rocky Mountains, where the Catholic Mission was, and went away in search of the doctor. The latter, given the severity of the wound, told the Indian to stay with him for some time, to heal the wound well.
"I can't stop here," replied Ciprà; tomorrow will be the First Friday of the Month and I will have to be at the Mission to receive Holy Communion. I'll come back later. - But later, added the doctor, the infection may develop and perhaps I will have to cut your hand! - Patience, you will cut my hand, but it will never happen that Ciprà leaves Communion on the day of the Sacred Heart! -
He returned to the Mission, with the other faithful he honored the Heart of Jesus and then made the long journey to present himself to the doctor.
Observing the wound, the irritated doctor exclaimed: I told you! Gangrene has begun; now I have to cut you three fingers!
- The pure cuts! ... Go all for the love of the Sacred Heart! - With a strong heart he underwent the amputation, happy to have well bought that First Friday Communion.
What lesson of fervor gives a convert to so many lukewarm faithful!
Foil. Make some throat mortifications, for the sake of the Sacred Heart.
Ejaculation. Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, I adore you for those who do not adore you!