Solemnity of the Most
Sacred Heart of Jesus
(Deuteronomy 7:6-11; I John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30)
Some Christians still believe that there is a qualitative
difference between “the God of the Old Testament” and “the God of the New.” In the Old, they say, God is primarily
wrathful, even vengeful, with inklings of tenderness. In the New Testament, they would say, Jesus
reveals God to be much kinder and gentler.
Jesus certainly emphasized the Father’s loving kindness, but so do the
prophets of the Old Testament. In the
first reading Moses does not refrain from speaking of God’s merciful love.
We might note as well Jesus’ God never hesitating to correct
His people when necessary. The context
of today’s gospel is Jesus’ chastising Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Their
failure to believe in him as God’s Son, despite his powerful preaching and
mighty deeds, required disciplining. Fortunately,
not all reject Jesus. It is the poorer,
lesser educated who tend to accept him.
To these he offers his yoke of wisdom.
Jesus’ wisdom is a product of both his brain and his heart. By “brain” we understand correct assessment
of right and wrong. By “heart” we mean a
proclivity to forgive. Jesus’ heart was pierced on the cross and drained of its
life blood but hardly of his mercy. It
dispenses forgiveness where our sins deserve punishment.
