Make Our Hearts Like Yours:
Daily Meditations on the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Thomas J Kronholz
ISBN 9781639661787
eISBN 9781639661794
ASIN B0F3XRLN6J
I picked up this volume on the recommendation of an author I really trust. It did not disappoint. In fact it was so good I could hardly put it down. And read through the whole volume over a few weeks and have set a reminder in my calendar to start it again on January 1st and read each of the daily devotions over the year as intended. The description of this volume states:
“The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the revelation of God's love for man, made flesh. The heart is a symbol of our passions, desires, and will. Meditating upon Jesus' heart can transform our own hearts so we might be one with him.
Make Our Hearts Like Yours is a comprehensive collection of meditations on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, drawn from saints and scholars of every age of Church history. Arranged according to the liturgical calendar, this daily devotional highlights the centrality of the Incarnation and God's unmeasured mercy. It is for all Catholics who desire a deeper encounter with the merciful heart of Jesus, guided by the witness of the Church Fathers, medieval mystics, and contemporary saints.
Because of the varied character of these reflections, this book lends itself to those setting out on a life of conversion, even as it challenges those advanced in prayer. Its poignant texts pierce the heart, allowing the healing balm of divine love to bring about our renewal.”
About the author we are informed:
“Thomas J. Kronholz is a systematic theologian, author, and classical pianist. He holds advanced degrees in systematic theology from Notre Dame Graduate School at Christendom College and piano performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. A teacher of both theology and music, he has taught at the university and secondary level, lectured at parishes, and worked in association with the Pontifical Studies Foundation.”
This book has both:
“Nihil Obstat
Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D.
Censor Librorum
Imprimatur
✠ Kevin C. Rhoades
Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend
April 2, 2024
The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that a book is free from doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.”
There is a reflection for each day of the year in this book. Each day has three sections; a brief section about the person or feast, a quote by or about them, and concludes with a prayer to the Sacred Heart. My first time through this volume I only highlighted a few passages, all were prayers at the end of specific days, they were:
“Sacred Heart of Jesus, infinitely exalted above the earth, raise me up to You. Make me participate in that heavenly conversation in which all extol Your glory. Saint Longinus, you who pierced heaven’s heart, pray for us!”
“Heart of Jesus, glory of the angels and delight of the saints, let my heart ever exult in You. Graciously grant me perseverance unto the end. St. Paulinus of Aquileia, defender of the Faith, pray for us!”
“Sacred Heart of Jesus, throne of mercy and model of compassion, destroy all my illusions of pride. Conform my heart to Yours that I might ever manifest Your charity. St. Macarius of Egypt, model of asceticism, pray for us!”
“Heart of Jesus, be with me in my greatest sufferings, that I may accept each trial as a gift. Bring faith out of darkness, hope from despair, and victory out of defeat. Bl. Mary of the Divine Heart, pray for us!”
A sample day is:
“February 13
Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895–1979) served as an archbishop, professor, and media evangelist. Here he teaches that Christ understood human suffering with all the perfect knowledge of the Godhead, yet the cross afforded Him direct human experience of pain. God has therefore shared in our griefs.
“Shall we not say this, and find in the cross of Calvary the perfect expression of love by an all-perfect being? … If we do say this, that He is very God of very God, and love is now reaching its climax in the redemption of mankind, then no longer can men say, “Why does God send men into the world to be miserable when He is happy?” — for the God-man is miserable now. No longer can men say, “God makes me suffer pain while He goes through none” — for the God-man is now enduring pain to the utmost. No longer can men say that God has a Heart that cannot understand, for now His own Sacred Heart understands what it is to be abandoned by God and man as He suffers — suspended between the kingdoms of both, between heaven and earth, rejected by one and abandoned by the other. Now it is true to say of love itself that it is really dying for us, for greater love than this no man hath that a man lay down his life for his friend.”
Sacred Heart of Jesus, conform us to Your cross of charity by which You revealed Your love for humanity. Ven. Fulton Sheen, pray for us!”
Another sample is:
“November 2 | Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
Today, we remember those holy souls who have departed from this world yet remain in need of intercessory prayer. Here, Bl. Columba Marmion recalls Christ’s sorrow over death as He wept over Lazarus and Jerusalem, and manifested His solidarity with suffering mankind upon the cross.
“He wept over Jerusalem, His own city which He loved despite its ingratitude; the thought of the disaster that would fall upon it after His death drew tears from His eyes.He wept at the death of Lazarus as we weep over those we cherish, [shedding] tears because His Heart was touched; He wept for him who was His friend: The tears sprang from the depth of His Heart. Several times too it is said of Him in the Gospel that His Heart was touched with compassion. …All the mockeries, all the outrages with which He was saturated in His passion, being buffeted and spit upon; all these insults, far from leaving Him insensible, caused Him intense suffering. His nature being more perfect, His sensibility was the greater and more delicate. He was plunged in an abyss of suffering. Lastly, after having shown himself to be truly man, He willed to endure death like all the sons of Adam: Et inclinato capite tradidit spiritum.”
Sacred Heart of Jesus, tender and kind, grant rest unto those holy souls who have departed this world in Your friendship. All saints, pray for us!”
I hope those sample days give you a feel for this volume. I loved encountering so many saints and reading about their devotion. This is a truly wonderful volume. It is one I wish had been available when I was younger. It is a life changing book. To read about so many saints, and pray to the Sacred Hearty so much was deeply moving and challenging. It is a book I look forward to reading again and one I can easily recommend. I challenge you to give this book a try, I guarantee you will be changed by reading and praying through it.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!
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