June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for Catholics. Friday June 12 is the Feast of the Sacred Heart this year. June 11 The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will be consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The event will be live streamed on the USCCB web page. We are all encouraged to participate in the consecration. We are celebrating Catholics and the Catholic Church in American history for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I think our Bishops, guided by the Holy Spirit, are also calling us back to the Heart – the Heart of Our Lord without which we can’t ever know him; the heart of the Gospel, the Heart of the Church,  and to our own hearts. Pope Francis in his beautiful encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Dilexit Nos,  wrote that the heart is the center drawing the parts of the human person, spirit soul and body, together. St. Teresa of Avila said that our heart is the throne of Jesus. 

I believe we as a nation are much in need of this call. A renewal of our hearts, and to reflect anew on the whole of Jesus centered in his heart. How can we know him without knowing and acknowledging his heart? 

There are a lot of things wrong with Christian Nationalism. However as I reflect on the Sacred Heart I think that the Jesus they preach is a Jesus with no heart. Our understanding of him will guide our thoughts and actions, permeating our lives. If we see him as heartless we will be heartless too. Our God is love and his greatest attribute is mercy according to our faith. We must return to the heart.

 I know I need to remember that myself when I am angry and outraged at Christian Nationalists. They’re terribly wrong and they are so mean and they cause suffering and death  those they hate and disdain using God to justify it all. But they are still God’s and he loves them. I need clarity about how to speak and act with love as well as standing up for what is right. I really don’t know how to do that regularly. 

With a sense of relief I look forward to this consecration, the special grace that will flow from it. I long for it. I am deeply troubled by the hate and disregard for the dignity and worth of every human person that has become  all too prevalent. So many of us have become mean.  I know I am guilty too. 

Bring me into your heart, Jesus. Bring us all in. 

When we live in the heart of Jesus and we know on a profound level that he lives in ours, we are transformed and so is the world. And no matter how many times we forget his heart  he calls us back. He is calling us now. 

The Bishops have some wonderful suggestions for the consecration. They would like us to pray 250 hours of Eucharistic Adoration, and perform 250 works of mercy. 

There are so many Eucharistic miracles. (See National Catholic Register on the matter or  Histological, immunological and biochemical studies on the flesh and blood of the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano or the National Library of Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12491371/) 

A Eucharistic Miracle is when Communion Hosts have started to bleed. These hosts have been taken to be analyzed scientifically by pathologists and in laboratories. Some alleged miracles were rejected but most of these hosts  were found to be heart tissue. Not only were they heart tissue but from a bruised and distressed heart as from someone severely beaten. The blood is consistently type AB, the same blood type found on the Shroud of Turin. Not only that but AB blood is extremely rare. It’s also a blood type anyone can receive. Because Jesus is a universal Giver! 

 This phenomenon reminds us of several things: Jesus is a real person. The Eucharist is truly him. The Eucharist is really the heart of Jesus and at the Heart of our Catholic faith. Eucharistic  Adoration is a perfect response to this. 

And what is prayer without action? We carry out the grace and love we receive in prayer  for “good works, my daughters, good works” as St. Teresa of Avila wrote. 

“Parishes can participate in 250 hours of adoration together by offering a Holy Hour on a weekly or monthly basis leading up to the July 4 anniversary. Parishes and communities can decide how best to set up their holy hours, continue current practices, or invite new people to join. While 250 hours seems like a lot, each person present constitutes an hour prayed. Parishes and communities can also consider how to incorporate both the 250 Works of Mercy alongside the 250 Hours of Adoration. Afterwards, report your community’s participation here.” 

“Individuals and groups can participate in 250 Works of Mercy by engaging in the existing activities and efforts of their parishes, getting involved in new ways, and by participating with local and national organizations on a weekly or monthly basis leading up to the July 4th anniversary. Our works of mercy draw from the deep well of our faith and prayer, constantly reminding us that in tending to our brothers and sisters, we tend to Christ himself. Afterwards, report your community’s participation here. “ – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 

Another great thing to do would be to read, maybe with another person or a group, Pope Francis’ Dilexit Nos. You can find that on the Vatican website, Vatican.va 

Let’s make this a time of rejuvenation of our faith. I’m ready to shed discouragement and disgust for renewed love of God and neighbor. Bring us all in, Lord Jesus. Every one of us.