"Lovely Lady dressed in blue
teach me how to pray!
God was just your little boy,
tell me what to say"
- From the poem "Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue" by Mary Dixon Thayer
This day, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, is not a solemnity in the Church. Nonetheless, I can't help but comment upon it, because I have such a deep devotion to the Immaculate Heart. I love to recall the story of one priest who would always refer to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary as the One Heart.
Both hearts are mentioned in the Gospel, and both in relation to the sufferings of Jesus. At the Presentation in the Temple, Simeon says, "'and a sword will pierce through your own heart also, that thoughts out of many hearts might be revealed (Luke 2:35).'" When the side of Jesus is pierced, John says that blood and water flowed forth from Jesus' wounded heart (John 19: 34-35).
I believe there is a beautiful lesson we can learn from this. Mary's heart can be said to be one with the Heart of Jesus because she willed what God willed. She was the handmaid of the Lord (Luke 1:38). She stood beneath the Cross of Jesus (John 19:25).
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen said that, "Great saints are made in the shadow of the Cross." If Mary is to teach us how to pray, it will be in relation to the Cross. The Cross was so prominent in her life, yet it was through it that joy entered her heart, and through her heart the world.
Let us then imitate Mary. Let us pray, not only in our times of joy, but especially in our times of suffering. However, during our times of desolation, may we pray through our sufferings, knowing that we are being purified of our attachment to this earth for eternal life and glory with Christ.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like unto thine!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
This day, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, is not a solemnity in the Church. Nonetheless, I can't help but comment upon it, because I have such a deep devotion to the Immaculate Heart. I love to recall the story of one priest who would always refer to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary as the One Heart.
Both hearts are mentioned in the Gospel, and both in relation to the sufferings of Jesus. At the Presentation in the Temple, Simeon says, "'and a sword will pierce through your own heart also, that thoughts out of many hearts might be revealed (Luke 2:35).'" When the side of Jesus is pierced, John says that blood and water flowed forth from Jesus' wounded heart (John 19: 34-35).
I believe there is a beautiful lesson we can learn from this. Mary's heart can be said to be one with the Heart of Jesus because she willed what God willed. She was the handmaid of the Lord (Luke 1:38). She stood beneath the Cross of Jesus (John 19:25).
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen said that, "Great saints are made in the shadow of the Cross." If Mary is to teach us how to pray, it will be in relation to the Cross. The Cross was so prominent in her life, yet it was through it that joy entered her heart, and through her heart the world.
Let us then imitate Mary. Let us pray, not only in our times of joy, but especially in our times of suffering. However, during our times of desolation, may we pray through our sufferings, knowing that we are being purified of our attachment to this earth for eternal life and glory with Christ.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like unto thine!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
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