This summer we have delved into the 6th chapter of John’s Gospel during Sunday Masses. This is one of the only occasions where we read from an entire book of Scripture in sequence. The 6th Chapter of John is foundational to our Eucharistic faith. Our exploration of John began weeks ago with the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and this Sunday, we explore John 6:51-58, where Jesus drives the point home – even to the consternation of some of his listeners – that his “flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” These verses are foundational to the Church’s teaching of the “real presence” of Jesus in the Eucharist. This teaching has been beautifully attested to by the lives of the saints who all had a deep love for and devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist. Interestingly, we began reading from John 6 after the conclusion of the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, where love and devotion to the Eucharist was on full display on the part of those who were present for this historic gathering.
The gift of the Eucharist is a gift from the loving and Sacred Heart of Jesus. Both Jesus’ Sacred Heart and the Eucharist are oriented to our healing and our holiness. Jesus bids us to come close and to enter into deep communion where we can find restoration and new life. As a pastor, my role is to respond to the needs of parishioners and friends, including their desire for certain devotions that may help them on their journey of faith. It is not the role of a pastor to impose devotions onto the community of faith. Accordingly, a number of parishioners have expressed a desire for Eucharistic adoration at The Basilica.
First Fridays are a traditional time for such devotions in the Church, including the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. To this end, beginning September 6 we will begin First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, followed by an hour of Eucharistic adoration. This will take place in the Saint Joseph Chapel following the Noon Mass. We will pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus followed by quiet time for prayer in the presence of the Eucharist. These prayers will be for the intention of healing – healing in our hearts, in our families, in the Church, in our nation, and in our world. All are welcome!
Personally, prayer before the Blessed Sacrament has been part of my life for years, as has the devotion to the Sacred Heart. I have seen the power of both in my life and the lives of others to bring healing, consolation, and guidance. A number of years ago when I was at Our Lady of Lourdes, a well-meaning summer intern decided to get rid of a statue of the of the Sacred Heart in an effort to declutter the parish. I was in Chicago at a conference when I learned of this. We quickly recovered the statue and had it restored and placed in a prominent place in the church. When I travel, I always look for an image or statue of the Sacred Heart in Catholic churches I visit. When I find them, I will take a picture and send it to a lay friend of mine who shares the same devotion. It was in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris six years ago, where I first received the call to do the work of restorative justice in a more formal way in the Church. I remain thankful for that call and the ministry of restorative justice.
As we introduce these beautiful devotions here at The Basilica of Saint Mary, I invite you to join me and others in our prayers for healing – opening ourselves to the depth of God’s love poured forth from the Sacred Heart of his Son, Jesus.
Peace,
Fr. Daniel Griffith