Heart of Jesus, Burning Furnace of Charity
In this lesson, Annabelle Moseley, poet; author; and Professor of Theology, leads Day 8 of the 33-Day “Our House of the Sacred Heart” Consecration and teaches “The Lesson of the Paperweight” as a real-life example of answering God’s call. Beautiful prayers, devotions, art, stories, scripture and poetry are included in this podcast that won’t take much of your time… but is time well-spent.
Reflection on Art
To look upon the Image of Sacred Heart of Jesus is to see a heart bearing a cross, crown, and flame… it’s to adore that heart and to make our hearts more like His. We’re living in a culture that values people being ‘cool’ . Isn’t that an interesting choice of words? Yet we’re called by our Saviour to be on fire, not even merely warm… burning with caritas.
Questions of the Day
- Do you possess a gift or keepsake given to you from a loved one that is rich in faith/meaning? What story does it tell?
- In what ways might I need to stoke a fire in my love for God so that it might be more all-encompassing, more ablaze, and less “chill.”
Download the prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus here if you’d like to save it or print it for reference!
Listen to Author Annabelle Moseley interviewed by Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis on her show “Vows, Vocations, and Promises: Discerning the Call of Love.” Hear Annabelle talk about what inspired her to write this book, what it was like to write it, why she decided to lead a Consecration to the Sacred Heart and answers to other intriguing questions.
Today’s Challenge
Let’s each one of us ask and contemplate: is my heart on fire? Let us contemplate that as we ask Our Lord to remove what is lukewarm from us and give us a faith burning with caritas, as we pray The Act of Love to the Sacred Heart:
How great, O my God, is the extent of Thine excessive charity! Thou hast prepared for me, of Thy most precious Body and Blood, a divine banquet, where Thou givest me Thyself without reserve. What hath urged Thee to this excess of love? Nothing but Thine own most loving Heart.
O adorable Heart of my Jesus, furnace of Divine Love, receive my soul into the wound of Thy most Sacred Passion, that in this school of charity I may learn to make a return of love to that God Who hast given me such wonderful proofs of His Love.
Most anything we have read in scriptural passages in the Bible about fire is not all consuming but fiery in the context to connote the passion or intense desire to attract our attention. Moses saw the burning bush when he looked toward the mountain. In the same way The Sacred Heart of Jesus , the Immaculate Heart of Mary places us in the Divine Fire of faith,hope and love. Heart of Jesus opens our heart to His and provides warmth and comfort and caritas….Love