Prayer and Discussion Questions for February 26, 2011 Tables for Two event

Gentlest of Hearts by Wendy Wright

Gentlest of hearts, become our heart.
Seamless our ending and our start.
Knit us so tightly with gentle strength
Our lives become one width, one length.

Sweetest of hearts, become our song
Poured out in melodies simple and strong.
Words as truth’s trumpet, deeds justly drummed
Compassion the strings of the lives that we strum.

Tenderest of hearts, become our nest,
Sought-after shelter, place of our rest.
Fold us in mercy, cradle in care,
Held in the arms of the love you prepare.

Warmest of hearts, become our fire
Fueling the embers of love’s desire.
Love as the cautery, love as the balm
Healing the wounded world all our live long.

Most gracious of hearts become our way.
Delight in our labor, joy in our play.
Dawn brings your hopefulness, nightfall your faith,
Love is our daily fare, nurtured by grace.

Gentlest of hearts, become our peace.
Our vengeance disarm, our hatreds cease.
Forgiving ourselves, we set others free,
Children of God as you mean us to be.

Discussion Question at Table For Two event

Promises of the Sacred Heart—given to St. Margaret Mary, 1675

(Appetizer—Bruschetta)
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
What graces do you seek for the enrichment of your marriage?
2. I will give peace in their families and unite families that are divided.
In what area of your family life do you desire peace?

(Soup—Minestrone)
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
For what trouble or difficulty do you seek Jesus’ consolation?
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
How do you envision the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a refuge in life? In death?

(Salad—Caesar Salad)
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
On what joint undertaking (i.e. that you and your spouse are working on together) do you seek Jesus’ abundant blessing? How would that blessing be realized?
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
What does the infinite mercy of the Sacred Heart mean to you in your marriage?

(Entrée—Chicken Carbonara)
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
How would fervent souls affect your marriage? Family?
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
Keeping in mind that “perfection” literally means “completion” or “fullness,” how would this promise bring blessing to your marriage?
9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.
Do you currently have an image of the Sacred Heart in a prominent place in your home? If so, how does this influence home and family life?

(Dessert—Italian Gelato)
10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
How are you and your spouse (and family) supportive of the priests you know? How can your prayer for them be a gift to them and the Church?
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.
Who in your life has invited you to be devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus? Older relatives, teachers, pastors, men and women religious, friends?
How might you as a couple encourage devotion to the Sacred Heart in your own lives?
12. I promise thee in the excess of the mercy of My Heart, that its all-powerful Love will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving the Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.
What does this promise mean to you?