“Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming Itself, in order to testify Its love.”-Christ to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, who is meek and humble of heart. In a world that champions ego, meekness is often overlooked or even met with an insulting attitude.

What is meekness? Donald Demarco writes:

“Meekness is not cowardliness, timidity, or servility; it’s the power that restrains the onslaught of anger and subjects it to the order of reason. While it may be more natural to express anger when one is assaulted, meekness is the higher path. It prevents evil from completely overcoming the person who is already suffering enough. Meekness prevents this suffering from advancing to the precincts of the soul, first to depression and then to despair.”

In a culture riddled with contempt and vitriol, where foul language is worn as a badge of authenticity and pride, meekness is the antidote hearts ache for. It is a mark of interior discipline and the ability to rightly order anger. In a culture drunk on reactionary fumes, meekness harnesses wild emotion and reinstates order. Meekness requires humility, for it is concerned with truth rather than wounded ego.

Let us turn to Christ, and gaze upon His heart–the heart that loves so much and spared nothing. True love ardently desires the sanctity of another, not his or her destruction.

What can you do?

1. Be a seeker of truth. A truthful soul is a humble soul.

2. Choose words that breathe life and avoid those that belittle.

3. Be direct and correct when you must with kindness.

4. Dedicate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

5. Enthrone your home to the Sacred Heart.

6. Fulfill the Nine First Friday Devotion of Reparation.

How to Make the First Friday Devotion

First Friday Requirements: To meet the requirements for the First Friday Devotion, a person must, on each First Friday for nine consecutive months:

Attend Holy Mass.
Receive Communion with the intention of making reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the sinfulness and ingratitude of men.
Go to Confession.

Our Lord made these promises to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque regarding those who practice the Nine First Fridays and have a deep devotion to His Sacred Heart:

I will give them all of the graces necessary for their state of life.
I will establish peace in their homes.
I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
I will be their strength during life and above all during death.
I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings.
Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy.
Tepid souls shall grow fervent.
Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
I will bless every place where a picture of my heart shall be set up and honored.
I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.
I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant all to those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.