The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Dt. 7:6-11, 1 Jn 4:7-16, Mt. 11:25-30.Today, the Church celebrateS the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with an emphasis on the need for reparation for sins and abuses whether personal or social. The devotion to the Sacred Heart is centered around the centrality of Divine love, encouraging us to trust in God's overflowing benevolence towards the world. It speaks of the love of Christ, a love most totally shown upon the Cross. St Margaret Mary Alacoque received the most significant series of visions of the Lord, as Jesus told her about the Devotion to His Most Sacred Heart, by dedicating the first Fridays of every month to the reception of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Hours dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The Lord also showed His Heart and the anguish and sorrow which He had for the sins and disobedience which we had shown Him despite the vastness of love, compassion and mercy that He has lavished upon us. The Lord said: “Behold the Heart that has loved so many men, and yet, instead of gratitude, all I received were ingratitude…” He asked in particular that the Friday after the Solemnity of Corpus Christi be dedicated to Him as the Feast of Reparation to the Most Sacred Heart.

The pierced Heart of Christ proclaims that “greater love” of which Jesus says: “No one can have greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The image of the Sacred Heart offered the message of love in a very personal way, echoes in St Paul’s words: “I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” The love of God was revealed when God sent His only Son into the world. The Old Testament translates the constant love of God into the image of a shepherd tending his flocks. Jesus goes even further, with His parable of the lost sheep, to show the Father's tireless search for us. A key message about God the Shepherd who, on losing one stray sheep, leaves the other ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it, speaks of the desire of God to have us returned to Him.

May the Lord Jesus who is the source of life and holiness, make us holy and perfect in charity and love! Amen!! Keep safe, Peace be with you!!!