During the Diocese of Saginaw's First Friday gathering on June 5, Bishop Robert Gruss reflected on the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, calling it a powerful reminder of Christ's personal and saving love for humanity.
"The devotion to the Sacred Heart is important because it brings the Church back to the very center of the Gospel," Bishop Gruss said. "This personal, burning, self-giving love of Jesus Christ for all of humanity."
The bishop's talk came ahead of the June 12 Solemnity of the Sacred Heart and the U.S. bishops' consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which took place during their annual meeting in Orlando. Bishop Gruss also announced plans to consecrate the Diocese of Saginaw to the Sacred Heart during a diocesan Mass at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption.
Preparing Hearts for Consecration
Bishop Gruss said the consecration comes at a time when the nation faces division, dysfunction and uncertainty.
"We need Jesus more than ever," he said. "We need the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a very profound way."
He encouraged parishes and families throughout the diocese to join in the consecration by renewing their own devotion to the Sacred Heart.
The Sacred Heart, he explained, symbolizes Christ's immense love, compassion and sacrifice for humanity.
"The heart of Jesus is a place of refuge from the storms and trials of life," Bishop Gruss said. "It's a place to find rest for all those who seek to go there."
A Devotion Rooted in Scripture
Bishop Gruss traced the roots of the devotion from Scripture through the lives of the saints. He highlighted St. John the Evangelist, often called the "apostle of love," and pointed to passages such as John 19:34, where blood and water flow from Christ's pierced side.
"The pierced heart is the moment when Christ's love is fully revealed," he said.
Bishop Gruss also recounted the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, to whom Jesus revealed his desire for a greater devotion to his Sacred Heart in the 17th century.
He shared Christ's words to St. Margaret Mary: "Behold this heart, which has so loved humanity."
The Twelve Promises
A significant portion of the talk focused on the promises Jesus made to those who practice devotion to the Sacred Heart, including the Nine First Fridays devotion.
Among those promises are peace in families, consolation in times of trouble, abundant mercy for sinners and the grace of final perseverance.
"I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life," Bishop Gruss said, quoting one of the promises associated with the devotion.
He encouraged those facing challenges in marriage, family life, ministry or personal struggles to turn to the Sacred Heart.
"If there's not peace in your families, go to the Sacred Heart," he said.
More Than Being a Good Person
Bishop Gruss emphasized that Christianity cannot be reduced to simply being nice or doing good deeds.
"So many people have reduced Christianity to merely being a good person and doing good things," he said. "That's not Christianity at all."
Rather, he said, Christianity is rooted in Christ's sacrifice on the cross and a personal relationship with Jesus.
"The heart of Christianity is the cross," Bishop Gruss said. "Jesus came to suffer and die for you."
He noted that devotion to the Sacred Heart helps believers remain focused on Christ's love, the meaning of the cross and the call to discipleship.
An Answer to Modern Wounds
Bishop Gruss also reflected on the challenges of modern life, including loneliness, anxiety, confusion and the distractions of technology.
"The Sacred Heart of Jesus proclaims this: You are loved. You are known. And you are wanted," he said.
He described the devotion as an antidote to despair and a source of healing, renewal and hope for individuals, families and parishes.
"If you want to become holy and want to be healed, let's go to the Sacred Heart of Jesus," he said.
Bishop Gruss concluded by encouraging Catholics to enthrone images of the Sacred Heart in their homes, workplaces and vehicles as visible reminders of Christ's love and kingship.
"Many graces flow from those who embrace his Sacred Heart devotion," he said.