Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Scripture:
Ezekiel 34:11-16
Romans 5:5b-11
Luke 15:3-7
Reflection:
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. John 1:9 These are some of the most remarkable words of Christ in the New Testament! In the life of the Holy Trinity the bond of Their love is utterly beyond our understanding and imagination and rests at the heart of experiencing the life of God. When the Father reaches out to draw humans into the life of the Trinity, He sent His Son Jesus to touch us with His Holy Spirit by which we cry out Abba Father!
The fact that God wishes to share His Triune love with us is the most incredible surprise of our lives. He invites us to live or “abide or menō” in His love as theoriginal inspired Greek text in New Testament states. This word “meno” is used 118 times in NT. How important it is that we live in His Love! Who would ever dream that God would care so much for us to send His Only Begotten Son to die for us? This amazing care for us is symbolized in today’s feast of the Sacred Heart.
The Heart is used over 1000 times in the Scriptures. The wonder of revelation is that the God of the Galaxies has a great Heart for us. He cares for us a million times more than we would dare believe! When the Apostles in Mark’s gospel wake up Jesus during the storm at sea, they accuse Him: “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Mk 4:38 In the original inspired text it says, “it does not matter to you that we are perishing”! This is one of the most awful accusations we could make to Jesus. Only Mark dares to use it of the apostles to Jesus in his account of the storm at sea.
Reflection of how much Christ suffered for us on the cross should evaporate our doubts about God’s love for us. Psalm 32:10 is a beautiful help to calm our troubled hearts by His wounded Heart. “But he who boldly trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him”
Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.