J.C.'S STRIDE

Abandoning ourselves entirely to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

By Joyce Coronel | June 4, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

When I heard that Pope Benedict XVI had declared a “Year for Priests” that would commence on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I had to smile. For me, the day holds special significance.

The Catholic Church has been blessed with many devotions throughout its 2,000 plus year history, but the Sacred Heart doesn’t seem to get much attention these days. Of all the various portrayals of Christ, the one that shows Him offering His heart to each of us is my favorite.

A few years ago, this image became dearer to me than ever. If you’re someone who reads my column regularly, you know that I’ve written about the perils of addiction. Let me just say that mine is a wisdom borne of great pain. My husband and I have suffered immensely because of the drug and alcohol addiction of others. This has shaped our attitudes toward things like the legalization of marijuana.

What we learned is this: you can’t “fix” an addict. The only thing you can really do is to entrust that person to God and His great love and mercy. When the addict learns to surrender his addiction to God, then there will be progress. Prayer, and the Mass in particular, gets you through it.

No more fear

One morning at daily Mass I looked over and noticed an elderly man with a small prayer book that had a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the cover. It moved me in a way I can’t really put into words. Something in me really wanted to have the same book.

I went to the gift shop afterwards, but there was no such book to be had. I never mentioned this desire of mine to anyone. A couple days later, I went to gather the mail and saw a plain brown envelope addressed to me. I opened it up, and inside was the same little Sacred Heart prayer book.

Once again, Providence had intervened, blessing me tenderly and supplying just what my soul needed in that moment.

Apparently, the Sacred Heart Fathers in Hales Corner, Wis., send these prayer books out from time to time in an effort to spread the devotion and tell others about their ministry.

At any rate, I began saying the very beautiful prayers inside every day. And something wonderful happened. Our problems were still there, but a new peace and tranquility had replaced all the fear and anxiety.

I read that the Lord blesses every place where an image of His Sacred Heart is displayed and honored. So I wrote to the community of priests that had so providentially sent me the prayer book. I ordered 12 copies — they’re just $1 each — and gave them to family, friends and co-workers. I also ordered the biggest picture of the Sacred Heart they had in their brochure.

Trusting in God

A couple days later, I arrived home from work to see a large package standing by the front door. Inside were two very lovely images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I bought suitable frames and hung them in a prominent place in our family room that evening.

Now each day I behold those loving eyes, so full of mercy, so ready to forgive and embrace. It’s a constant reminder and witness to all that there’s nothing the love of God cannot conquer — including addiction. Nothing is beyond His reach.

When all else fails and it seems there is no hope, no answer, no consolation for our pain, we can know with certainty that our loving God holds us in the palm of His hand, that He sees all, knows all, and will never abandon us.

The key is to abandon ourselves to Him entirely, entrusting ourselves, our families and our problems to His most Sacred Heart. His love can and does conquer all.

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Joyce Coronel is a regular contributor to The Catholic Sun. Send comments to letters@catholicsun.org.