SH Novena 3rd Day : Listening Heart

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13
Then Elijah was told, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before The Lord’. Then the Lord Himself went by. There came a mighty wind, so strong it tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there came the sound of a gentle breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Meditation:
We often go on pilgrimages to religious locations at home and abroad. Places like Lourdes, Fatima, Medjugorje, Knock, or St Anne’s Bukit Mertajam. Perhaps we have been to or would like to go to The Holy Land. Why do we go? In the hope that we will receive blessings for ourselves and others, that our prayers might be answered and our eyes open to a truth that needs to be revealed.  As in this Scripture passage, God is found not in the dramatic but in the simple moments of life. Do you feel a breeze on your cheek?  Maybe just stand where you are now, feel and listen.

Prayer:
O, Sacred Heart, Elijah did not find You in earthquake, fire or mighty storm. You revealed Yourself to him in the gentlest of breezes. May I recognise You in the simple moments of life, moments of kindness, trust and life. Perhaps You will speak to me today in the embrace of a loved one, the smile of a child, the wave across the street, the car that stops to let me cross the road. Allow me to be the pilgrim and remind me that the pilgrimage may need to take me no further than my front door.  Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, open our hearts to you.

(spend some quiet time in prayer with Jesus … speak to Jesus… hear Jesus… feel His Presence with you)

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Closing Prayer for each day

Lord Jesus, Your Sacred Heart is always open, with love, to each of us, especially when we are suffering. To all who come to You seeking Your help, You show Your compassion and healing power. You care for us when we are lost, sympathise with us in loneliness and comfort us in mourning; You are closest to us when we are weakest. You reach out Your hand to us when we stumble and have most need of Your help. I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena, and grant what I ask. …

If what I ask is not for my own or other’s good, grant me always what is best, that I may build Your kingdom of love in our world.  Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

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