A Concord Pastor Comments: First Friday: Novena to the Sacred Heart

Jesus by Tissot

Every first Friday of the month, we offer this litany in devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus...

The image of Jesus (above) is from the Passion section of Tissot's collection of illustrations of the New Testament. The pose is suggestive of Jesus holding us close to, even in his heart.

As we pray with this image:
- keep in mind how Jesus holds each of us in his heart, and all of us together as his brothers and sisters;
- keep in mind that there's room in the heart of Jesus for everyone, without exception;
- keep in mind in mind that the mercy of Jesus' heart forgives our sins; the strength of his heart sustains us day by day; and the love of his heart draws us ever closer to him and to the life he promises us.

Litany of the Sacred Heart

Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer!

So loving
So humble
So gentle
So compassionate
So faithful
So wise
So patient
So steadfast
So tender
So spacious

Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer!

God’s joy
God’s shalom
Harp of the Trinity
Wingbeat of the Spirit
Breath of God
Five-petaled rose

Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer!

Womb of justice
Birthplace of peace
Our dearest hope
Longing of our lives

Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer!

Freely flowing fountain
Spring of grace
Freshet of forgiveness
Merciful river
Mystical dew

Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer!

Warmth of our hearts
Transforming fire
Cosmic furnace
Enflamer of hearts

Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer!

Heart of evolution
Beginning and ending
Center of all

Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer!

Garden of virtues
Mystical dew
Table and food

Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer!

Our refuge
Our shelter
Our comfort
Our rest
Our welcoming breast

Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer!

Wounded by love
Pierced by our cruelty
Broken by our hardness
Mystic winepress
Poured out as gift

Heart of Jesus, hear our prayer!

Have mercy, gracious heart,
Give us gratefulness
Teach us tenderness
Let us learn to love.

Hear our prayer!

- Wendy Wright

Let us pray...

Lord of all our hearts,
open wide your Heart of mercy
and refresh us with the peace that flows
from the font of your love.
Gracious Lord,
hear and answer our prayer.
Amen.