Friday, June 7, 2024

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.

Friday, June 16, 2023

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

(Deuteronomy 7:6-11; I John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30)

One of the more popular saints these days is St. Monica.  She was the mother of St. Augustine who spent much of his youth resisting Christ.  Monica prayed intently for her son, and in time he converted.  Many parents today find themselves praying like St. Monica.  Their children, raised Catholics, have abandoned their faith.  Not only do they not attend mass, but in many cases have given themselves to the pursuit of alcohol or drugs.

Jesus hears the prayers of these parents.  His heart is “meek and humble” ready to share the burden of anyone who asks him.  He can convert sinners as well as cure the most troubling of illnesses.  He cured the paralytic at the Bethesda pool of the Jerusalem Temple who had no one put him into the water.

Today we come to Jesus with our special needs.  We want him to help those whom we love most on earth.  We ask him to heal them of evil, be it physical like the paralytic or moral like so many people who choose pleasure over righteous living.  We can pray with confidence because we are sure that he loves us.

Friday, June 12, 2021

 The 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)

Most crucifixes show Jesus’ side pierced.  More often it is his right side that has received the wound.  This interpretation conforms with the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel that sees the life-giving water flowing from the right side of the temple.  (To be exact, Ezekiel says the temple faced east with the water flowing from its south side.)

Sometimes, however, crucifixes show Jesus’ left side as being pierced.  A lance entering his left side would leave his heart wounded.  This image corresponds better with today’s feast.  Jesus’ heart is called “sacred” because it has suffered with and for all humanity.  It is not intact which would indicate hardness or, at least, invulnerability.  Rather its woundedness suggests that he knows how it feels to be scorned, betrayed, and tortured.  Jesus underwent this suffering so that we do not have to suffer alone.  His doing intentionally has attained forgiveness for us when we sinfully cause suffering to others. 

Today we first thank Jesus for suffering for us.  He did so out of love.  We also pledge that we will suffer patiently with him.  As members of his Body, we want our pain and sorrow to be added to his.  In this way other people may know of his love for them.

Friday, June 19, 2020

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

(Deuteronomy 7:6-11; I John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30)

Time is too slow for those who wait,

Too swift for those who fear,

Too long for those who grieve,

Too short for those who rejoice,

But for those who love, time is eternity.

The author of these words, Henry Van Dyke, was a Christian preacher.  No doubt, he realized that his statement is true because of Jesus Christ.  Jesus not only showed the world the extent of God’s love by his death on the cross.  He also sent us his Spirit so that we too might love as he did. 

What makes the love of Jesus different from ordinary human love?  Two qualities stand out. First, Jesus, imitating the Father, loves us in our sinfulness.   He sees our beauty despite knowing our defects.  Second, Jesus’ love for us is without any particular gain for himself.  He does not need our love, but we need his if we are to love for all eternity.

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart especially celebrates the love of God in Jesus Christ.  His heart is often pictured with a crown of thorns and drops of blood.  Both indicate the passion Jesus endured in expressing his love for us.