Into the Sacredness of Christ's Holiness
June, the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
It is the period of time that all devotion to Christ opens up the very essence of love that emanates out of the heart of Jesus is directed to each human being. It was in the 12th century that devotion to the Sacred Heart began. Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 1670’s and revealed to her an image of His Sacred Heart.
This also is the very month I asked while praying with my bible what more can I do to give honor this week of June 1964. dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The woman’s voice who spoke to me in December 1960 to ask for wisdom during a miraculous medal novena. She said why not quit smoking. I followed that advice and 60 years later I still have not had one cigarette.
However, this also is the month I was ordained (June 8, 1974) and June has had its effect on my ministry (June 8, 2024 will be 50 years). It isn’t a superstition or some outlandish event that reminds me of that day. But it is a moment that keeps me thinking that the month of June has had its influence upon my ministry.
When Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary and revealed devotion to his Sacred Heart he told her I will bring blessings to those who display and have an honor to my Sacred Heart. My wife bought me a large wall hanging picture of Jesus with his heart reflecting rays of grace. That was at Christmas in 1961. It still hangs above my desk. My devotion to his Sacred Heart has always been the forefront of my prayers and I know how he has blessed my ministry. One of the earliest dates that I began writing was during the 1960’s when I wrote a prayer to theSacred Heart. It goes; “O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I love you, I adore you, I worship you. Please come into my heart and stay with me forever. For my need is your mercy, my desire is your will, my hope is your passion, my food for faith your most heavenly grace. All that I receive from you is meaning for existing, reason for living, courage to face death when it beckons. This very day do I consecrate my whole being, mind and soul to your Most Sacred Heart
During this month I also wrote the following placing Jesus as the first person speaking to me. “The Lord’s words to me,” June 13, 1985. “So much can be accomplished if you will only rely on me. Avoid sin, and wait for my direction. I have much I desire of you and wish to be accomplished, but will not see it fulfilled until your will bends to mine, and allows my guidance and my spirit to completely enter into yours, and begin the complete transformation within you. There are no bounds, no heights that will not be overcome once the transformation begins. Your dreams are so small compared to the unlimited ends I shall bring you in realizing the real meaning of these dreams. I planted them, therefore hold fast to them, and I will accomplish the goals you hear.”
To this day I write and dedicate all of my articles to his Most Sacred Heart. His Holy Spirit is the emphasis for my gifts and I will always acknowledge that as well.
Ralph B. Hathaway