The scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus | USCCB
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Officially part of the liturgical calendar since
1856, it is one of the greatest devotions of Christianity. The Sacred Heart
stands as a powerful symbol of the whole human body of Jesus Christ. The heart
is at its core, representing the very real life of Jesus our Saviour; a heart
which was formed in Mary’s womb; a heart which beat as he preached the Good
News and healed the sick; a heart that stopped on the cross and was then
pierced by the soldier’s lance. It is also the heart that beat once more at the
Resurrection and continues to do so for us today.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a powerful
reminder of the love of Christ poured out for us all. It is at once a
representation of His divine love and His human love. In the Sacred Heart we
see the love of God which created the heavens and the earth; a love which created
humankind and then redeemed us in our fallen nature. But the Sacred Heart is
also one of fully human love; one which expressed itself in the love of Jesus
for His Mother; the love of Jesus for His disciples, and the love which He
showed for all He preached to and cared for. It was a love that was able to
forgive those who nailed Him to a cross.
We can adore and praise the Sacred Heart
of Jesus each time we come to Mass or to just pay a visit to church during the
day. During Mass, Jesus becomes truly present during consecration and comes to
us, with His Sacred Heart, at each Holy Communion we receive. We can also adore
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in each tabernacle in each Catholic
Church we visit. Further, when we adore our Lord in Eucharistic adoration, we
are adoring His Sacred Heart.
Let us take this love of Jesus and His
Sacred Heart to all those in our lives to let them know that Jesus and His
Sacred Heart loves them and that He wants to be the center of their lives. As
Jesus loves His mother and His disciples, He loves each one of us. We are
called to bring that love of Christ, beating in His Sacred Heart, into a world
that so much needs His love, peace, and forgiveness.
Lord Jesus, through your Sacred Heart,
help us to bring the love you have for all people to those in our lives that
are in most need of knowing your love. Help us to be faithful and good Christians
in a world that seems to lack your love and healing. Amen.
Very beautiful & eloquent reflection on the Sacred Heart of JESUS!
ReplyDeleteIn every age we need reminders of the great love & mercy of Our LORD: centuries ago in Our LORD's Revelations of His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary & the Revelation of Our LORD's Divine Mercy to St. Faustina in the 1930s.
In every age, & especially in our present age, what we need most of all is to know & experience the love of GOD in JESUS CHRIST, to learn to love Him in return, & to demonstrate His love through our words & actions to everyone we encounter. What a better world this would be if everyone fully realized how deeply GOD loves us all!