Readings
I - Ezk. 34: 1-6
II - Rom. 5: 5-11
III - Lk. 15: 3-7
SACRED HEART OF JESUS (Solemnity)
The solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the epitome of the absolute love of God for the humankind. The heart of Jesus especially beats for the lost, the injured, the strayed and the weak as we read in the first reading and as we read in the Gospel reading that he goes to their recue with an ardent love and anxiety like that of a Good Shepherd in manifesting the love of God for His people. The despised, like the tax collectors; the abandoned, like the lepers who lived in the gallows; the oppressed, like the women and the children; the sinners, like the woman caught in adultery; the outcast, like the Samaritans; the traitor, like Judas; the betrayer, like Peter; the religious fanatic, like Saul and everyone are individually precious to Jesus. As the second reading says, perhaps for a good person one would dare to die, but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners.
In response to the unfathomable love of God, let the celebration of the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus inflame our hearts with love and devotion. Jesus was the manifestation of God’s love for us, resolve as Christians, to manifest the love of Jesus in our thoughts, words, activities and dealings. Become a channel of God’s love to all who come in contact with us so that, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (Jn. 13: 35) be witnessed through our Christian living. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Sacred Heart of Jesus, make my heart like yours”
