Over the past few years I have slowly, but surely, grown in amazement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This began with my Cursillo brethren and I praying simply the Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (found here). Then I learned a little about the Saint behind this devotion, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart is not simply a novena, nor a consecration, it is a lifestyle, it is an encounter with the Risen Christ, and it is supernatural. The Sacred Heart burns with the fire of Christ’s divine love for us, yet is crowned with a crown of thorns. There is a light shining behind the heart calling us to John 1:5, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” And the heart is pierced by a lance-wound, showing the ultimate price it paid for us.
I have always been interested in the lives of the saints. Often I read about a saint, take a tidbit for application, and move on. I have enjoyed reading books about the teachings of saints, the communities they served or founded, etc.
In the case of Margaret Mary, it is different. It is like Jesus has sent her as a sage for my journey. One with wisdom and guidance to continually guide me toward Jesus. And to constantly show up when I am in need of guidance the most.
This past year has been a spiritual struggle. I began to read a book about the Saint and found her life to be amazing. I would jump up and read sections to Sarah, almost in tears because of the things she endured, the events of her life, and often by what she herself wrote or said. Not before has a saint had such an affect. Not before has a saint been so tangible or real to me. I would read about her, feeling almost as though I was the ghost of Christmas past and could sit in the room to watch her life unfold. Yet in the midst of all of this, when the book described her in prayer before Christ, I could not find myself there. I could not take part in that piece of her life. I couldn’t smell or sense it.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart requires a great sacrifice on the part of the person. The fire in the Sacred Heart calls us to perfection, that of purgatory. The saint’s own life is one of a constant purge of self. I am no good at the purge of self. I tend to like me. No, I really like me, and am pretty attached to me. Are you getting the point of me here?
Another part of this devotion is the crown of thorns. O to be a King, one of riches and power; and a complete lacking of this devotion if that be the case. The crown of thorns is one of disgrace and denial by the world. The saint experienced this over and over, being hated by her own sisters until St. Claude affirmed her devotion in his homilies and writings. Not until his death was she truly accepted in her order.
And then there is the piercing of the lance. A heart so loved, pierced by man’s sin and disobedience of God. A meek heart, disgraced by our unwillingness to stand up for our faith in the Eucharist, or our ignorance of the Mass and worship of Him.
While reading her life I desired this devotion more so than I’ve desired anything spiritually aside from the Eucharist. I remember the months leading to my Confirmation and First Eucharist I became so hungry for His love and mercy that it was alive and real. Supernatural.
At the time all of this was welling up inside me, Satan too was planning his attack. You see, a soul cannot hunger for God without the devil hungering for the soul. And being a cunning adversary, he knew when and where to strike. Rather than tempt me to sins he knew I would never allow he attacked subtly. Focusing on the one thing that has plagued the Christian Church and the one thing I disliked most about American Christians. Mediocrity.
Mediocrity is to me, the same as rationalization. I’m good enough, can’t God accept me for who I am. These small sins aren’t that big of a deal, there are people way worse than me. Look at me, I’m a good guy. We even have Churches in the US designed to “take you as you are”.
For months I struggled. My “ardent desire” waffled. My supernatural hope reduced to human hope, failing me slowly but surely.
And then, Jesus and the saint had enough. A few weeks ago a friend came to my house and returned the book on her life to me, reminding me about her, as though through a fog I could see her life calling me forward. Then in the last few days another friend sent me this article http://wau.org/resources/article/re_three_streams_one_love. Yet another encounter with St. Margaret Mary.
Though these simple yet direct encounters, and again picking up the book about her life, I’m now gaining speed; doing some things differently. Mediocrity is the lie. After multiple plays I have white boarded a defense, no an offense to beat Satan’s play (insert great quote about MI having a new coach here). Spring training is over.
Right now in our home we have placed on our mantle a relic of St. Margaret Mary. Dust from her coffin. History tells us that in 1830 when her tomb was opened upon Pope Leo XII pronouncing her Venerable, two instantaneous cures took place. The dust from her coffin having touched those that were healed.
Tonight I begin praying for the intercession of St. Margaret Mary that I am healed of the disease of mediocrity.
Today I begin again praying daily the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Last week I began a fight to work on the first two Necessary Dispositions for the Devotion to the Sacred Heart. A great horror of sin, and an ardent desire for Jesus Christ.
And I no longer fear the fire. Nor the crown. Nor the piercing. Because the light out shines all, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
I pray you find the courage to overcome mediocrity in your life. It is a lie, and it is too often overlooked by too many, including me. The front lines of this war are every day. The weapon is our own heart, overcome in love by His Sacred Heart.
Sr. Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in thee.
Here is more about her if you are interested.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marguerite_Marie_Alacoque
http://www.sanctuaires-paray.com/spip.php?article316
And more on the Sacred Heart of Jesus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart_of_Jesus
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