By Father Nicholas Akindele
Guest Column
“Behold this heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to consuming itself to witness its love. And in return, I receive from most of them only ingratitude from their irreverences and their sacrileges and by the coldness and contempt that they have for me in this sacrament of love…”
— Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, during a Church approved private revelation, June 1675.
It is common to see yard signs during different seasons of the year depending on what is going on. Families put garage sale signs and graduation signs in front of their houses. People may even display a political sign showing who they are supporting in the next election and inviting others to consider their candidate. Others have a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in their yard or the picture of the Divine Mercy or another religious yard sign.
I have even seen some houses displaying both Halloween signs and, later, Christmas yard signs or decorations. A check into the tradition of Halloween will reveal that the holiday has spiraled away from its original intent. All Hallows Eve was traditionally observed the night before the celebration of All Saints Day. During the evening of Oct. 31, many used to pray for the souls of the dead. Now people put out all sorts of decorations which celebrate “death” and actually scare children and adults who cannot stand those creepy creatures.
There are signs that celebrate life and others that celebrate death. There are signs which mislead, in a sense, because they point to a reality that fades depending on the season. There are other signs which tend to give the impression that politicians can fix the world’s problems. I guess many of us have lived long enough to know that is a mirage. The path of glamorizing humans and not God will not fix our broken society. St. Augustine came to the conclusion that, “Our hearts are made for you, oh Lord, and we are restless until we rest in thee.” How many times can we walk the political path blindfolded, thinking we shall receive salvation?
Our Lady of Fatima made this very clear in 1917. Reflecting on Mary’s messages, Archbishop Fulton Sheen wrote, “The revelation of Fatima is a reminder that we live in a moral universe, that evil is self-defeating, that good is self-preserving; that the basic troubles of the world are not in politics or economics but in our hearts and our souls, and that spiritual regeneration is the condition of social amelioration.”
Mother Mary refers the children at Fatima again to the person of Jesus Christ. Mother reiterates her last and final advice from the Gospel, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5). She reminds humanity of the need to show gratitude for the many blessings God has given to us. Our Lady wants us to be like her, serving the purposes of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the world. This is the reason she called for reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus! In her last message to the Fatima children, she said emphatically, “Do not offend the Lord our God anymore, because he is already so much offended.”
On June 11, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is planning to consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What a great joy for all on this jubilee marking the 250th anniversary of America. Our Lady and our bishops, who are the teachers of the faith and shepherds of our souls, are calling us to the unmistakable sign: the heart of Jesus, in which all the treasures for life and grace have been poured out for our salvation.
Do not forget that at the mountain of transfiguration the voice of the Father came through saying, “This is my well beloved son. Listen to him.” (Luke 9:35). Brothers and sisters, let us join together to consecrate ourselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, giving the Father our unalloyed loyalty. Let us bond with the desires of our mother whom Jesus gave us by offering all gratitude to Jesus Christ for all He has done for this great nation.
(Father Nicholas Akindele is pastor of Holy Family Parish in Davenport.)
Novena to be livestreamed
Bishop Dennis Walsh invites every Catholic in southeast Iowa to join a nine-day novena in preparation for the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The novena is June 3-11 at 6:30 p.m.
Father Nicholas Akindele, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Davenport will livestream this novena “to boost our unity in the heart of Jesus” via TheyHaveNoWine.com YouTube and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/vinumnonhabent. https://www.usccb.org/novena-sacred-heart-jesus#tab—day-1-heart-of-jesus-aflame-with-love-for-us.
Bishop Walsh and Father Akindele invite priests who feel called to lead the prayers each day to contact Father Akindele by email akindelen@diodav.org or call 563-210-1349.
This consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus can be done either on the evening of June 11 or June 12, depending on the parish schedule. It is recommended that confessions and adoration be a part of the parish plan.
