Sacred Heart of Jesus...

lmaopml

There is a prayer I remember as a very young child that my Mam used to say - it was 'Oh most Sacred heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in thee'...

I remember hearing it from her, but very 'whispered' when she thought she was alone - and it scared me - I was placing my trust in her..lol..but she was always warm and very articulate...when questioned, even in a childish way...


In fact, she always told me not to 'patronise' her ever...even her memory...I was quite the spirited child..lol..

I remember on occasion her saying whether we really mean it sometimes, and even questioning whether she did too at times... when we say that rather short prayer, and how much we actually think about the words..obviously she was questioning how genuine she was in repeating a really beautiful expression of love..

I know 'Sacred Heart of Jesus', may be a foreign 'expression' to many Christians, but not so much Catholics, but bear with me.....it's mostly a well known fact to most of us, if actually understood from a Christian perspective without prejudice...

So, to the Christians out there, both Catholic and Protestant... what does the 'Sacred heart of Jesus' call to mind to you sincerely..?..even just as an expression..

I'd really like to know..

....even the agnostics and atheists, their memories, etc. etc. and what the phrase 'evokes'..in sincerity.

PatricaMcKay2

When we worship Christ we worship His Divine Person, the Pre-Eternal Word, and His Divine nature, we do NOT pay worship to Christ's human nature; which is what the whole Sacred Heart things is doing.

gimmebroadband

Jesus Divine nature and Human nature is inseperable, and by adoring one you adore the whole!

JimiTime

lmaopml wrote: »

There is a prayer I remember as a very young child that my Mam used to say - it was 'Oh most Sacred heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in thee'...

I remember hearing it from her, but very 'whispered' when she thought she was alone - and it scared me - I was placing my trust in her..lol..but she was always warm and very articulate...when questioned, even in a childish way...


In fact, she always told me not to 'patronise' her ever...even her memory...I was quite the spirited child..lol..

I remember on occasion her saying whether we really mean it sometimes, and even questioning whether she did too at times... when we say that rather short prayer, and how much we actually think about the words..obviously she was questioning how genuine she was in repeating a really beautiful expression of love..

I know 'Sacred Heart of Jesus', may be a foreign 'expression' to many Christians, but not so much Catholics, but bear with me.....it's mostly a well known fact to most of us, if actually understood from a Christian perspective without prejudice...

So, to the Christians out there, both Catholic and Protestant... what does the 'Sacred heart of Jesus' call to mind to you sincerely..?..even just as an expression..

I'd really like to know..

....even the agnostics and atheists, their memories, etc. etc. and what the phrase 'evokes'..in sincerity.

Honestly? It reminds me of those horrible hologram pictures that I'd see in old peoples houses as a kid.

PatricaMcKay2

gimmebroadband wrote: »

Jesus Divine nature and Human nature is inseperable, and by adoring one you adore the whole!

Do you accept the council of Chalcedon?

The Uncreated is one thing and the created is another.

We adore the One Person of Christ who has two natures.

antiskeptic

JimiTime wrote: »

Honestly? It reminds me of those horrible hologram pictures that I'd see in old peoples houses as a kid.

+1. (are they the ones with the red lights and the slightly hippy / slightly Errol Flynn representation of Jesus?).

Reminds me too of country-accented holy mary curtain twitching types (whether a few of the neighbours or on TV)

That said, I can't see anything wrong with a genuine sentiment expressed so.

lmaopml

PatricaMcKay2 wrote: »

When we worship Christ we worship His Divine Person, the Pre-Eternal Word, and His Divine nature, we do NOT pay worship to Christ's human nature; which is what the whole Sacred Heart things is doing.

I think part of the bible is written in layman's terms Patricia, about having a 'new heart' - it's not about a heart transplant ( of course ) or even anything to do with the physical heart - but it's a metaphor for feeling. Although we often touch where our hearts are when we express ourselves..

Same can be said of the prayer - 'Sacred heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in thee'..

So what now?

PatricaMcKay2

lmaopml wrote: »

I think part of the bible is written in layman's terms Patricia, about having a 'new heart' - it's not about a heart transplant ( of course ) or even anything to do with the physical heart - but it's a metaphor for feeling. Although we often touch where our hearts are when we express ourselves..

Same can be said of the prayer - 'Sacred heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in thee'..

So what now?

Christ took on the fullness of unfallen human nature, including the heart, which in Biblical terms is the centre of the human whole, I mean dont Roman Catholics confess that Christ had two wills? This is Monophysitism, you are rejecting the Council of Chalcedon.

lmaopml

PatricaMcKay2 wrote: »

Christ took on the fullness of unfallen human nature, including the heart, which in Biblical terms is the centre of the human whole, I mean dont Roman Catholics confess that Christ had two wills? This is Monophysitism, you are rejecting the Council of Chalcedon.

Yerra, well it would be really nice if you would expand on exactly what I am accused of in a less 'scholarly' way please? Jesus was fully human and fully God too imo...but he became both fully human and fully God too? Am I off course?

PatricaMcKay2

lmaopml wrote: »

Yerra, well it would be really nice if you would expand on exactly what I am accused of in a less 'scholarly' way please? Jesus was fully human and fully God too imo...but he became both fully human and fully God too? Am I off course?

Jesus is NOT a human Person, though He has a human nature.

Worship cannot be given to the created, even too His human nature and His Virgin Mother who gave Him that nature.

Its not rock science.

Only God, the Uncreated, can be worshipped.

lmaopml

JimiTime wrote: »

Honestly? It reminds me of those horrible hologram pictures that I'd see in old peoples houses as a kid.

LOL, yeah some of the pictures where 'dark' of the crucifixion of course and scary to a child....but very truthful - it wasn't all beautiful and lovely during the passion of Christ.

'Holograms' I'm not so sure of though as far as the phrase the sacred heart of Jesus is concerned; although I do remember the shroud of Turin represented as a holographic type, 3d image when you looked at it.

Still, not the same thing. The sacred heart of Jesus...

The Quadratic Equation

PatricaMcKay2 wrote: »

When we worship Christ we worship His Divine Person, the Pre-Eternal Word, and His Divine nature, we do NOT pay worship to Christ's human nature; which is what the whole Sacred Heart things is doing.

No it does not.

Please have the decency to stop pretending what Catholics believe.

PatricaMcKay2

The Quadratic Equation wrote: »

No it does not.

Please have the decency to stop pretending what Catholics believe.

Is the heart both in physical and spiritual sense not something human? Did not Christ take on the fullness of human nature?

lmaopml

PatricaMcKay2 wrote: »

Jesus is NOT a human Person, though He has a human nature.

Worship cannot be given to the created, even too His human nature and His Virgin Mother who gave Him that nature.

Its not rock science.

Only God, the Uncreated, can be worshipped.

The 'Sacred heart of Jesus' prayer is a prayer of trust in Jesus sacrifice for mankind in human and divine nature in 'love' - It's his 'heart' - the centre of love, not the physical heart but the changed heart we all experience, that connects with his..

Patricia, I know it's not 'rock science' - if it were, we'd be talking 'above' others - I've no wish to do that..just to others...

You seem to be hung up on the physical 'pump', and also on some kind of preconceived notion, that I'm worshipping his physical heart etc., or Our Lady, St. Mary etc. etc. where the worship of only our saviour belongs - no your're wrong! - let me assure you....just in case you were worried lol.


I'm discussing both the experience on the cross from both senses, and also how it relates to the prayer, 'O Sacred heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in thee', and also how he suffered for 'love' of us as both God and man...

..no? Maybe?

The Quadratic Equation

lmaopml wrote: »

There is a prayer I remember as a very young child that my Mam used to say - it was 'Oh most Sacred heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in thee'...

Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I place all my trust in thee,
Immaculate heart of Mary pray for us.

God Bless your Mother.

The Sacred Heart is a most beautiful devotion once properly understood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart

gimmebroadband

467 The Monophysites affirmed that the human nature had ceased to exist as such in Christ when the divine person of God's Son assumed it. Faced with this heresy, the fourth ecumenical council, at Chalcedon in 451, confessed:

Following the holy Fathers, we unanimously teach and confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: the same perfect in divinity and perfect in humanity, the same truly God and truly man, composed of rational soul and body; consubstantial with the Father as to his divinity and consubstantial with us as to his humanity; "like us in all things but sin". He was begotten from the Father before all ages as to his divinity and in these last days, for us and for our salvation, was born as to his humanity of the virgin Mary, the Mother of God.91 We confess that one and the same Christ, Lord, and only-begotten Son, is to be acknowledged in two natures without confusion, change, division or separation. The distinction between the natures was never abolished by their union, but rather the character proper to each of the two natures was preserved as they came together in one person (prosopon) and one hypostasis.92

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p1.htm

lmaopml

The Quadratic Equation wrote: »

Sacred Heart of Jesus,
I place all my trust in thee,
Immaculate heart of Mary pray for us.

God Bless your Mother.

The Sacred Heart is a most beautiful devotion once properly understood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart

Cheers Quadratic, that's lovely.

I wish we could talk more to each other rather than 'at' eachother sometimes on boards. I thought this prayer would be something that would be 'common' ground, and be taken up in the sense that it was meant ( poor expression on my behalf ), it's a prayer to Christ and a consecration of ones trust in life to trust and devotion to him in my opinion....no blurred lines or fancy nancy terms! It's really simple.

Thanks.

gimmebroadband

"Behold this Heart which has so loved men!" Words of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2. I will give peace in their families.

3. I will console them in all their troubles.

4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.

5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.

9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.

10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.

12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

http://www.acfp2000.com/Sacred_Heart/Sacred%20Heart.html

PatricaMcKay2

lmaopml wrote: »

The 'Sacred heart of Jesus' prayer is a prayer of trust in Jesus sacrifice for mankind in human and divine nature in 'love' - It's his 'heart' - the centre of love, not the physical heart but the changed heart we all experience, that connects with his..

Patricia, I know it's not 'rock science' - if it were, we'd be talking 'above' others - I've no wish to do that..just to others...

You seem to be hung up on the physical 'pump', and also on some kind of preconceived notion, that I'm worshipping his physical heart etc., or Our Lady, St. Mary etc. etc. where the worship of only our saviour belongs - no your're wrong! - let me assure you....just in case you were worried lol.


I'm discussing both the experience on the cross from both senses, and also how it relates to the prayer, 'O Sacred heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in thee', and also how he suffered for 'love' of us as both God and man...

..no? Maybe?

No I dont think you or anyone else is worshiping His human physical heart, heart in the Bible doesnt mean refer to that.

However are you worshiping the love of His Divine nature or Human hature? Seeing as He shares His love in His Divine nature with the Father and the Holy Ghost, why the seperate cult of Jesus's "love"?

PatricaMcKay2

gimmebroadband wrote: »

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p1.htm

No they do NOT claim that His human nature ceased to exist!

Stop reading propaganda!

They claim what you just claimed!

gimmebroadband

PatricaMcKay2 wrote: »

No I dont think you or anyone else is worshiping His human physical heart, heart in the Bible doesnt mean refer to that.

However are you worshiping the love of His Divine nature or Human hature? Seeing as He shares His love in His Divine nature with the Father and the Holy Ghost, why the seperate cult of Jesus's "love"?

See my previous post - Jesus Himself established Devotion to His Sacred Heart!

PatricaMcKay2

gimmebroadband wrote: »

Jesus Divine nature and Human nature is inseperable, and by adoring one you adore the whole!

http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/theology/nature_of_christ.pdf

Tolle, Lege.

PatricaMcKay2

gimmebroadband wrote: »

See my previous post - Jesus Himself established Devotion to His Sacred Heart!

No He did not.

PatricaMcKay2

Revelation stopped at the death of the last Apostle.

Margret Mary was a pretty disturbed individual who came out with stuff like Christ telling her that she loves her more than anyone else in the world alive at that time which is bound to swell pride and so mess up a person's spiritual life.

This devotion was resisted by sensible minds within Roman Catholicism and promoted by the Jesuits!

lmaopml

PatricaMcKay2 wrote: »

No I dont think you or anyone else is worshiping His human physical heart, heart in the Bible doesnt mean refer to that.

However are you worshiping the love of His Divine nature or Human hature? Seeing as He shares His love in His Divine nature with the Father and the Holy Ghost, why the seperate cult of Jesus's "love"?

Oh my goodness, how wrong are you? When we place our trust in Jesus love it follows that we place our trust in the triune nature of God. Please don't presume any such thing...not everybody knows the dictionary terms but please don't bag and tag anybody when you really are talking out of your hat mostly - and presuming far too much than your 'human' person should.

gimmebroadband

PatricaMcKay2 wrote: »

Revelation stopped at the death of the last Apostle.

There are several types of revelation;


General Revelation is the understanding of God and His nature which we as humans can learn via our own senses and reason. We can obtain general revelation through observing the natural world and the natural law.


Special revelation is that revelation which is directly revealed to humanity through a special communicative act of God.


Private revelation is a form of special revelation which is provided to support and exist in harmony with public revelation. It does not seek to replace or redefine the deposit of faith, but rather seeks to provide a greater understanding of particular devotions which can lead to a growth of spirituality. No private revelation is a source for new teachings (because there are no new teachings) although it can provide confirmation and support for a newly defined doctrine.


Public revelation is the form of special revelation given to the Church by Jesus Christ and passed on via the Apostles and their disciples. This revelation ended with the death of the last Apostle (Saint John, around the year 100 AD) – meaning that all the truths of Christianity were imparted at or before this time and that no new doctrines or teaching can be invented or created – nor can any be removed – if Christianity is to remain authentic.


Sacred Oral Tradition is the form of public special revelation which was not written down under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, although it may have been committed to paper.


Sacred Scripture is the public special revelation which has been written down under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and has been assembled through the actions of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (acting in accord with the will of God) in the Bible.


http://www.catholicbasictraining.com/apologetics/coursetexts/1i.htm

http://old.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.shtml#74

gimmebroadband

lmaopml wrote: »

Oh my goodness, how wrong are you? When we place our trust in Jesus love it follows that we place our trust in the triune nature of God. Please don't presume any such thing...not everybody knows the dictionary terms but please don't bag and tag anybody when you really are talking out of your hat mostly - and presuming far too much than your 'human' person should.

I agree lmaopml. She is quoting EO/OO tenets out of context and claimg the CC is heretical!

We know our own faith better than she claims she does!

lmaopml

PatricaMcKay2 wrote: »

Revelation stopped at the death of the last Apostle.

Margret Mary was a pretty disturbed individual who came out with stuff like Christ telling her that she loves her more than anyone else in the world alive at that time which is bound to swell pride and so mess up a person's spiritual life.

This devotion was resisted by sensible minds within Roman Catholicism and promoted by the Jesuits!

So, 'Revelation stopped at the death of the last apostle'


So exactly in your opinion who holds the keys Patricia, in the biblical sense and what does it mean, Christ's Church, that the gates of hell will not pervade? Since then? Or did God just 'wing' it....for the last two thousand years, and 'religion' is 'relative' like so many other things...the 'atheists' have a point. It's not 'relative'.

I'll stick with the very simple prayer; 'Oh Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in thee' - as put into words by a one time saint of the times...

there are probably many other unsung ones, but this prayer is important imo, because it expresses everything, doubt, trust, and a growing relationship...that's a good thing - it's not a triumphant thing, it's a whisper...

PatricaMcKay2

gimmebroadband wrote: »

I agree lmaopml. She is quoting EO/OO tenets out of context and claimg the CC is heretical!

We know our own faith better than she claims she does!

Rome claims Chalcedon as an Ecumenical Council, when did that change?

Where did Eastern Orthodoxy come into it?

PatricaMcKay2

lmaopml wrote: »

So, 'Revelation stopped at the death of the last apostle'

Roman Catholicism also expects that revelation ended at the death of the last apostle, you lot just claim it evolves.

gimmebroadband

Another lovely prayer:

Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with love for me,
Inflame my heart with love for Thee.

PatricaMcKay2

gimmebroadband wrote: »

I agree lmaopml. She is quoting EO/OO tenets out of context and claimg the CC is heretical!

We know our own faith better than she claims she does!

You do realize that EO and OO are different Churches?

lmaopml

gimmebroadband wrote: »

I agree lmaopml. She is quoting EO/OO tenets out of context and claimg the CC is heretical!

We know our own faith better than she claims she does!

I don't actually understand why anybody would want to dish something like a lovely prayer..I just don't, not without trying to understand the beauty of meaning behind it 'firstly' instead of supposing something 'wrong' in the name of some kind of weird intellectualism crapology - we ALL believe in miracles collectively as Christians, so no need to swap punches on trivial stuff - It beats me, both as a Catholic and a Christian...

terryerr72

Fr. Bigley does a lovely sermon...

gimmebroadband

PatricaMcKay2 wrote: »

You do realize that EO and OO are different Churches?

What makes you realise that I didn't, they are still Catholic Churches, some with different Rites, some in Communion with Rome!

Baggio1

Patrica Christ was NOT created - he was begotten as is the spirit by the father 3 persons in one, so there is NO worshiping of the created involved.

son father and holy spirt are all equal and deserving of full worship

PatricaMcKay2

gimmebroadband wrote: »

What makes you realise that I didn't, they are still Catholic Churches, some with different Rites, some in Communion with Rome!

None of the Eastern Orthodox or the Oriental Orthodox are in Communion with Rome, they all reject the heresy of Papism (that the Bishop of Rome has universal jurisdiction- of course you also believe that he is infallible!). They also reject the Immaculate Conception and the idea of merits. I could go into further detail...The EO are often frighteningly anti-RC, which is understandable given that the RCC has been a lot more vicious towards them than towards Protestants.

PatricaMcKay2

Baggio1 wrote: »

Patrica Christ was NOT created - he was begotten as is the spirit by the father 3 persons in one, so there is NO worshiping of the created involved.

son father and holy spirt are all equal and deserving of full worship

Christ the Person was not created...His human nature which He took from the Blessed Virgin WAS...Or do you deny that she was a creature?

Are you saying that Christ's body and soul were uncreated?

Baggio1

she was NOT a creature - she was his mother, he was not created, he was gifted, through God the father's Grace, are you denying God's power to overcome all human understanding at will?

PatricaMcKay2

Baggio1 wrote: »

she was NOT a creature - she was his mother, he was not created, he was gifted, through God the father's Grace, are you denying God's power to overcome all human understanding at will?

His Human nature WAS created hence He is one nature with us.

JimiTime

lmaopml wrote: »

LOL, yeah some of the pictures where 'dark' of the crucifixion of course and scary to a child....but very truthful - it wasn't all beautiful and lovely during the passion of Christ.

This wasn't a crucifixion pic I was referring too, though they were similar. It was an artist impression of Jesus with his heart exposed and framed by his hands. It had a logo saying 'sacread heart of Jesus' on it, and it moved in some way when you changed the angle you looked at it. Anytime I hear the expression, its all I picture.

Still, not the same thing. The sacred heart of Jesus...

I think this kind of thing is more RC. That whole specific prayers and phrases. Rosaries, say such a prayer for this that or the other etc. I don't get it myself.

PatricaMcKay2

Baggio1 wrote: »

she was NOT a creature - she was his mother, he was not created, he was gifted, through God the father's Grace, are you denying God's power to overcome all human understanding at will?

WOW, are you saying that she existed with beginning and wasnt a daughter of Eve?

Onesimus

Patricia Mc Kay is an antagonist. I dont know why you lot bother to entertain this person and encourage him/her? to spoil a thread on a lovely prayer which is ultimately his/her? Goal.

Onesimus

gimmebroadband

Onesimus wrote: »

Patricia Mc Kay is an antagonist. I dont know why you lot bother to entertain this person and encourage him/her? to spoil a thread on a lovely prayer which is ultimately his/her? Goal.

Onesimus

I agree Onesimus, she is turning this thread into a Catholic/Protestent thread, she does that a lot!

PatricaMcKay2

gimmebroadband wrote: »

I agree Onesimus, she is turning this thread into a Catholic/Protestent thread, she does that a lot!

The Byzantine Orthodox would agree with me on this one.

Its not my fault that you throw out both reason and tradition as well as the Bible.

mcmoustache

JimiTime wrote: »

I think this kind of thing is more RC. That whole specific prayers and phrases. Rosaries, say such a prayer for this that or the other etc. I don't get it myself.

It always reminded me of witch-craft and incantations. I never understood why prayers had to have a specific and rigid form. Does God only hear you if you say the prayer in a certain way? Does saying it in a certain way carry more "umph" than just expressing your wishes? I never understood that either.

JimiTime

mcmoustache wrote: »

It always reminded me of witch-craft and incantations. I never understood why prayers had to have a specific and rigid form. Does God only hear you if you say the prayer in a certain way? Does saying it in a certain way carry more "umph" than just expressing your wishes? I never understood that either.

Snap. I find the wearing of 'holy' medals and crucifixes, 'holy' water, Padre Pio pics in cars etc to all be witchcrafty. More like rabbits foot stuff. But thats for a different thread....

lmaopml

JimiTime wrote: »

Snap. I find the wearing of 'holy' medals and crucifixes, 'holy' water, Padre Pio pics in cars etc to all be witchcrafty. More like rabbits foot stuff. But thats for a different thread....

I understand that it may seem kind of alien to some protestants, and completely alien to others - of course. ( and I know that during the reformation everything like this was seen as something 'wrong' or 'dangerous' and a clear out took place ) Everything was sterilised, even the houses of communal praise. History.

However, that doesn't negate the meaning behind such things, or indeed that it follows that people believe a 'picture' has power, it's not the picture iykwim..it's always the saviour, and Catholics don't practice 'witchcraft' lol. That may fall on deaf ears, but hey ho...

The story of the sacred heart is really relating to him even more through people who lived exemplary lives and oozed faith and love and had a message to tell us that we are not alone; we're a family, and those living saints ( real saints ) explained the source of that faith in their own personal way; that God is still with us and still encouraging us, and they have something to say about 'revealing' how they achieved such dedication, and why they 'loved' Christ. Their experience inspires others - much like G.K. Chesterton might touch someone too - We do this every day in our families, ie Thank God for the beauty of love in the faces of our children and recognise love in others - It's God we recognise.

The 'Sacred Heart' is simply 'Jesus'...never changing, always saving. It's a more a 'revelation' or focus on an already understood truth, that the Christian God is the God with a difference, he became one of us, suffered died and was buried, and rose again on the third day. That our God is quite simply the one and only most courageous loving God simply because he loved so much that he became one of us, and still loved when he was hated, his heart loved so much that it outshone and annihilated the cross he died on...

Saying a simple prayer, is not monotonous or meaningless if it is said with meaning and love. 'Trust' is huge....The Lords prayer is full of meaning and timeless..

I know this was probably not the best idea for a thread, I was a being a bit on the sentimental side over my mum lastnight. I don't expect everybody to get it really, and I'm sorry if I've bulldozed the forum with Catholic prayer..lol...

gimmebroadband

lmaopml wrote: »

I understand that it may seem kind of alien to some protestants, and completely alien to others - of course. ( and I know that during the reformation everything like this was seen as something 'wrong' or 'dangerous' and a clear out took place ) Everything was sterilised, even the houses of communal praise. History.

However, that doesn't negate the meaning behind such things, or indeed that it follows that people believe a 'picture' has power, it's not the picture iykwim..it's always the saviour, and Catholics don't practice 'witchcraft' lol. That may fall on deaf ears, but hey ho...

The story of the sacred heart is really relating to him even more through people who lived exemplary lives and oozed faith and love and had a message to tell us that we are not alone; we're a family, and those living saints ( real saints ) explained the source of that faith in their own personal way; that God is still with us and still encouraging us, and they have something to say about 'revealing' how they achieved such dedication, and why they 'loved' Christ. Their experience inspires others - much like G.K. Chesterton might touch someone too - We do this every day in our families, ie Thank God for the beauty of love in the faces of our children and recognise love in others - It's God we recognise.

The 'Sacred Heart' is simply 'Jesus'...never changing, always saving. It's a more a 'revelation' or focus on an already understood truth, that the Christian God is the God with a difference, he became one of us, suffered died and was buried, and rose again on the third day. That our God is quite simply the one and only most courageous loving God simply because he loved so much that he became one of us, and still loved when he was hated, his heart loved so much that it outshone and annihilated the cross he died on...

Saying a simple prayer, is not monotonous or meaningless if it is said with meaning and love. 'Trust' is huge....The Lords prayer is full of meaning and timeless..

I know this was probably not the best idea for a thread, I was a being a bit on the sentimental side over my mum lastnight. I don't expect everybody to get it really, and I'm sorry if I've bulldozed the forum with Catholic prayer..lol...

No one should have to feel sorry for professing their faith!

georgieporgy

I'm always cognizant of how catholic devotions like this (Sacred Heart), scapulars, medals, first fridays, first saturdays, novenas, holy water, relics, etc. must look really weird to outsiders (infidels?, I'm talking non christians here) whereas our separated brethren must feel sorry for us being so deluded an' all.

You can't blame them really. I would think it ridiculous myself if it wasn't for the fact that , like the Monkees, now I'm a believer. When you look into the origin of any of those devotions it's really quite mindblowing. We have lost so much of the original fervour associated with them that now we are almost like ..... well.... non catholics. (No offence intended there guys)

Some of the older folks here will remember our mothers sprinkling holy water after us as we left the house when we just ran out carefree without blessing ourselves. What mother does that now?

gimmebroadband

georgieporgy wrote: »

I'm always cognizant of how catholic devotions like this (Sacred Heart), scapulars, medals, first fridays, first saturdays, novenas, holy water, relics, etc. must look really weird to outsiders (infidels?, I'm talking non christians here) whereas our separated brethren must feel sorry for us being so deluded an' all.

You can't blame them really. I would think it ridiculous myself if it wasn't for the fact that , like the Monkees, now I'm a believer. When you look into the origin of any of those devotions it's really quite mindblowing. We have lost so much of the original fervour associated with them that now we are almost like ..... well.... non catholics. (No offence intended there guys)

Some of the older folks here will remember our mothers sprinkling holy water after us as we left the house when we just ran out carefree without blessing ourselves. What mother does that now?

I use holy water every day, and sprinkle the house with it!

I am enrolled in the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and I also wear the Miraculous Medal.