The Bookshelf

Secrets of the Sacred Heart

Is Jesus in your home? We all know that He is, but when you stop and think, is His image in your home? This question was raised to me in the context of reading a lovely text that I received at Christmas entitled Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Twelve Ways to Claim Jesus’ Promises in Your Life, by Emily Jaminet. When being forced to think about it, I mentally ran through every room in our house. We have crucifixes. We have Marian objects. I don’t have a picture of Jesus. After noting that this needs to be fixed, I read about a process called enthronement. Enthronement is a special act of consecration done by a family or individual who wishes to welcome Jesus into their home (or other dedicated space) as King, Savior,
Brother or Friend (p.11). It involves placing an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a place of importance to signify the intention of all those present to grow closer to God and to allow him to enlighten their souls with Divine Truth (p. 12). Upon learning this, I felt compelled to make sure that I did this. Who doesn’t want peace in their home? In their place of work? I know I do and am so grateful that a very large statue of the Sacred Heart graces our school stairwell right
by the office. As I further moved my way through the text, I was taught a very simple way to engage the Sacred Heart in my daily life. These are called small prayers of aspiration. Upon passing an image of the Sacred Heart, whisper a small little prayer like “Jesus, I trust in you” or “Jesus, I love you” or “Make my home in your heart”. Starting there can open up a conversation with Jesus. I liken this to when I pass a photo I took of my father that rests on my dresser. He passed away nearly eight years ago, but every time I pass the photo, I talk to him. I can do that same thing with the image of Jesus. Doing so can bring peace to my home and my heart. Who couldn’t use that these days?

When we lack peace, it prevents us from seeing God’s hand, especially in times of struggle and difficulty. Often, fear and anxiety steal our peace and we begin to tremble and worry. Jesus wants to exchange our restless, broken hearts for his heart that is full of peace. (p. 15)

Into His Likeness: Be Transformed as a Disciple of Christ

The book “Into His Likeness: Be Transformed as a Disciple of Christ” by Edward Sri provided many insightful and inspirational
components for me. I was particularly provoked by the chapter entitled “Not Perfect, but Chosen”.  it correlates discipleship to the relationship between a rabbi (teacher) and a disciple of ancient Judaic practice. The disciple would choose the rabbi of whom they would wish to emulate. The disciple learns the habits of the rabbi to the point of losing themselves to the ways of the rabbi. This is what our relationship with Jesus is to be like but with key distinctions: Three of the distinctions are that Jesus chooses his disciples, He is not just a teacher...He is Lord, and Jesus is not only a role model to imitate, He abides in us, changing us from within.

Tale of the Three Trees

This best-selling children'  book was shared with all our classrooms at every grade level. It tells Jesus's story from a new and unusual point of view. It helps us understand that Jesus was born to bring love to the world and died to to demonstrate the profoundness of that love.