First Friday April 7, 2023 

Guards of Honor 1st Friday / April 2023 Fr. David Bellusci, OP 

“My Heart has expected reproach and misery and I looked for one who would grieve together

with Me, but there was none; and for one that would comfort me, and I found none!” (Ps. 68)

“BEHOLD THE HEART WHICH HAS SUFFERED SO MUCH!”

In April of 1685, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque writes, “Mother, I pray the Sacred Heart to consume ours in the flames of His love.” St. Margaret writes during the Easter season, her heart filled with intensity of the love of Jesus. The time when the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross conveys the power of His death: our Saviour died for each one of us. For St. Margaret the Sacred Heart means to

focus on the side of Jesus that was pierced by the soldier’s lance. Bleeding to death, water gushing from His side, the signs of love are real. St. Thomas the Apostle refused to believe that Jesus had resurrected unless he could have the experience of seeing and touching the side of Jesus (John 20:25); his desire was fulfilled so St. Thomas might believe and others with him. Appearing to

the Apostles, St. Thomas put his finger into the side of Jesus. The side pierced by the lance, the side of the heart of Jesus, was felt by St. Thomas. The wound of love, the flaming heart that burns for us. St. Margaret understood the burning heart of Jesus consumes us into His love, into His flames, our hearts that are one with His.

Burning Heart of Jesus, may my heart be one with yours.

Prayer to Renew Our Fidelity and Devotion 

Divine Jesus, my Saviour and my King, with all my heart I  renew the promise which I have made to love, to glorify and  to console Your adorable Heart as a member of the Guard  of Honor. Grant O good Master, to make me daily more  loving, more devoted and more faithful. I ask this same  grace for all the Associates through the most sweet Heart of  Your Mother. AMEN