SH Novena 6th Day : Attentive Heart

Scripture: Luke 1:59-63
On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said, ‘he is to be called John. ‘They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John’.

Meditation:
Zechariah, when given the news that, despite their advanced age, he and Elizabeth were to have a baby, was told the son was to be named John. Unable to accept the truth of this revelation, he was struck dumb and remained without speech until this moment in Scripture. Remembering what he had been told, he had communicated this to Elizabeth, and she shared the name with her relations. Only when Zechariah wrote, “His name is John”, was the power of speech restored. More importantly, at this moment, God’s Will was fulfilled. Zechariah came to a deepened awareness of God’s Will in that place and time of silence.  It was a time of attentiveness – of attentive listening. That time is ours now.

Prayer:
O, Sacred Heart, give me moments of silence when I can hear Your word again. Remind me of Zechariah, whose disbelief turned to attentiveness and who saw Your Will fulfilled. May I know today that I, too, am part of Your divine plan and have my line to deliver that may bring others to a place where they recognise the wonder of Your name and the blessing of Your presence.  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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