Shalom

June 2019

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART

How to Pray the Novena

The novena to the Sacred Heart takes place from 20 to 28 June 2019..

You may pray the Novena privately, in your family, in a religious community or with your neighbours or friends.

A Novena prepares us over a short period of time to receive the graces of God special to a feast.

NOVENA PRAYER (to be said each day)

Lord Jesus, your Sacred Heart is always open in love to each of us, especially when we are suffering.

To all who come to you seeking your help, you show your compassion and healing power.

You care for us when we are lost, sympathise with us in loneliness and comfort us in mourning; you are closest to us when we are weakest.

You reach out your hand to us when we stumble and have most need of your help. I ask you to listen to my prayer during this Novena, and grant what I ask. If what I ask is not for my own or other's good, grant me always what is best, that I may build your kingdom of love in our world. Amen.

Day 1 - Thursday June 20 - A Humble Heart How to pray the Novena

Scripture:	'Among the pagans the rulers lord it over them and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be first among you must be your servant... just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve...' (Mt. 20:25-28)
Reflection:	There is a part of us that likes to be the boss! Some have great gifts of leadership or organization. Jesus reminds his disciples, and also ourselves, that leadership and authority are a service, not an ego trip.
Prayer:	Lord, give the grace of even-handedness to all who have authority be it at home, at work, in Church or state. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we were heavy handed when dealing with those in our care. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
End:	Say the Novena Prayer.

Day 2 - Friday June 21 - Much Loved Son How to pray the Novena

Scripture:	'Now when all the people had been baptized and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.'"(Mt. 3:21-22).
Reflection:	At the turning point of his life, having left home and about to start his public ministry, Jesus is affirmed by his Father and the Holy Spirit, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.' Jesus is ever the Father's beloved Son. This is his identity, his strength and consolation. Everything he does is done with and for the Father.
Prayer:	Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in you we live and have our being. Help us live out our baptism which made us your children. Father, keep drawing us to the heart of your Son. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
End:	Say the Novena Prayer.

Day 3 - Saturday June 22 - A Tested Heart How to pray the Novena

Scripture:	'...the devil showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. "I will give you all these," he said, "if you fall at my feet and worship me." Jesus replied, "Be off, Satan! For scripture says: You must worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.'" (Mt. 4:8-10).
Reflection:	Part of the wonder of the incarnation - Jesus becoming one of us - is that Jesus is tried and tested as we are. Jesus responds with firmness and clarity: 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.' Jesus lives with and for his Father guided by the Spirit.
Prayer:	Lord Jesus, we often lack clarity about what influences our decisions. We can be swayed by what others say, our ego can get in the way of making a good decision, free us of pressure from others. Hel[p us Lord Jesus, to put you and your kingdom first and so enable all else find its proper place. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
End:	Say the Novena Prayer.

Day 4 - Sunday June 23 - Generous Hearts How to pray the Novena

Scripture:	'Follow me and I will make you fishers of people.' (Mt. 4:17).
Reflection:	Jesus needs men and women who are willing to be witnesses of his love and his truth. To their credit, Peter and Andrew responded immediately, 'they left their nets at once and followed him.' They were ordinary weak individuals to whom Jesus made a promise. 'I will make you fishers of people.' With his grace they followed him to martyrdom.
Prayer:	Lord Jesus, we are often afraid to follow you closely. Afraid of where our 'yes' might lead us: loss of status, ridicule, suffering. Help us to believe that in becoming more like you, we will become our true selves. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
End:	Say the Novena Prayer.

Day 5 - Monday June 24 - A Heart Given For Us How to pray the Novena

Scripture:	'Then he took some bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them saying, "this is my body which will be given for you...'" (Lk. 22:19).
Reflection:	'His body' refers not just to his physical body but to his whole person: soul, heart and mind. 'For us and our salvation he came down from heaven.' These words are the lens to understand the death of Jesus who died that we might have life. Today the risen Lord is labouring for us, as St Ignatius used say, continually interceding before his Father for us.
Prayer:	Father, your Son's final act of love is almost beyond our comprehension. Help us to receive his life-giving love and with your grace become men and women with and for others. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
End:	Say the Novena Prayer.

Day 6 - Tuesday June 25 - A Heart United With The Father How to pray the Novena

Scripture:	'Then Jesus, withdrew from them, about a stone's throw away, and knelt down and prayed. "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.'" (Lk. 22:41-43).
Reflection:	This was surely Jesus' hardest prayer. 'Yet, doing his Father's will was his deepest desire and the key to all he did.
Prayer:	Lord, there are times I want to get my own way instead of thinking of what others need. Help me to tune into my deepest desire and say, 'your will be done' and so learn to be mindful of others' needs. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
End:	Say the Novena Prayer.

Day 7 - Wednesday June 26 - A Forgiving Heart How to pray the Novena

Scripture:	'...they crucified him there and two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.'" (Lk. 23:33).
Reflection:	Even in his agony Jesus' mind and heart reaches out to those who have planned and carried out his death - Judas, Pilate, the Jewish leaders, the fickle crowd who cried out, 'crucify him, crucify him'. Indeed, he seems to excuse them. As the years passed perhaps they remembered these words and opened their hearts to receive his forgiveness.
Prayer:	Jesus, you know how a harsh word or an unjust deed can bring out our anger and desire to get even. Heal us from things that were done to us and give us the grace to seek blessing on those who have hurt or harmed us. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
End:	Say the Novena Prayer.

Day 8 - Thursday June 27 - United Hearts How to pray the Novena

Scripture:	'Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother ...Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus, said to his mother, "Woman, this is your son." Then to the disciple he said, "This is your mother". And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.' (Jn. 19:25-27).
Reflection:	The hearts of Jesus and Mary were united; united in intimacy, united in mission. Now as Jesus is about to die, he entrusts his mother to John to look after her and entrusts John and all future disciples to Mary's maternal care.
Prayer:	Jesus, thank you for the gift of your mother. Mary, thank you for your 'yes' which gave us your Son as our saviour. Watch over us and all belonging to us. In spite of our weakness, help us again and again to walk in his ways. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
End:	Say the Novena Prayer.

Day 9 - Friday June 28 - Feast Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus. How to pray the Novena

Scripture:	'In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jewish leaders. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them. "Peace be with you" and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, "Peace be with you.'" (Jn. 21:19-21).
Reflection:	What a gift for the disciples, laden down with guilt and grief from Jesus who was not only their teacher but the one who knew and understood them like no one else before. Now the risen Jesus offers them his peace: a peace that healed them because it included his forgiveness.
Prayer:	Risen Jesus, I renew my faith in your risen presence ever working on my behalf. You bring good out of all the twists and turns in my life, ever drawing me to be reconciled with you and everyone. I praise and thank you. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
End:	Say the Novena Prayer.