Life in Thorns

Have you ever seen a rose bush? With its luscious petals and pretty leaves, it is a gorgeous flower. 

But when you take a step closer, you can clearly see the thorns that poke out. With these thorns, it becomes difficult for us to pluck the flower. Our life is a lot like a rose bush. The rose itself is, Heaven. But along the way there are thorns....our struggles, sufferings, and sins. When we fall, we may be discouraged to keep going. 

But we know one thing for sure. Our Lord Jesus walked through these thorns first, for our sins. Though he fell on the way of the Cross he kept going for us. So when we stumble and fall, we can run to Jesus, who can lead us to our final destination, Eternal Life in Heaven with him.

By Adonia John, Dallas TX

The symbols of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

June is the month devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In your homes or in church, you probably have seen an image of Jesus with His heart exposed. 

Have you ever wondered why His heart is expressed this way?

The Fire

We see that Jesus’ heart is burning in flames. This symbolizes how Jesus is a living sacrifice for all of us.Another explanation of these flames indicates the presence of His divinity. In the Old Testament, God appeared to Moses through a burning bush. When the Israelites traveled to the Promised Land, at night time, God appeared to them through the pillar of fire to give them light (Exodus 13:21). This fire is also symbolizing the burning love of Jesus that He has for each one of us! 

The rays of Light

 

The rays of light symbolize how Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). These light rays also symbolize His divinity as we see His glorious light in the transfiguration and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus also appeared to Saul in glorious light (Acts 9:3). 

The Crown of Thorns

The crown of thorns represent how Jesus experienced suffering of his heart and piercing when He was crucified. This crown of thorns became the crown of victory after the Resurrection of Jesus. Why? Because Jesus has defeated all sin and death! 

The Cross

 

We see the Cross as if the Cross is planted into the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This shows that the Cross is supported by the weight of His Sacred Heart. 

The Arrow and/or Bleeding

In traditional images of the Sacred Heart, you will see a golden arrow piercing His heart. Many times, you will see Jesus’ heart bleeding without the golden arrow. 

This arrow represent our sins, and our sins pierced His heart.This revelation was given to Sr. Marie of St. Peter.  However, out of His Sacred Heart, flows blood and water, oceans of mercy for all of us. 

Happy Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus!

How to draw the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

How to draw the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Step 1 : Draw a heart

Step 2 : Draw a flame on top of the heart

Step 3 : Draw wines going across the heart

Step 4 : Draw the thorns on the wines

Step 5 : Add a cross to the top of the heart in front of the flame

Step 6 : Add drops of blood

Step 7 : Draw rays of light

Step 8 : Color 

Read about the different symbols seen on the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This novena prayer was recited every day by Padre Pio for all those who asked for prayers. 

I. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of [insert your intention.]

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, if you ask any thing of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of [insert your intention.]
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.” Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of [insert your intention.]
Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be to the Father…Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender mother and ours.

"Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen."

St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

Read about the symbols seen on the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

How to draw the Sacred heart of Jesus