Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
(Hosea 11:1.3-4.8-9; Ephesians 3:8-12.14-19; John 19:31-37)
“Richard Corey” is a short poem written by an American poet,
Edward Arlington Robinson. It is simple and dramatic enough to catch a schoolboy’s
attention.
The poem describes how an elegant man named Richard Corey
was envied by all the people of his town.
True to his name but unnoticed by the townspeople, he had a rich, hard
core or heart. Though he was rich, he helped
no one. His hardness made him difficult to approach. The poem ends by saying that “one calm summer
night, (he) went home and put a bullet through his head.”
Richard Corey would be the counterpart to Jesus. Jesus’ heart is tender so that he takes
compassion on all. It is true that he is
rich, but with mercy, not gold. He will
forgive any sin rightly confessed and assist any project aimed at doing good.
