The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Ezk. 34:11-16, Rom. 5: 5-11, Lk.15:3-7. Based on the “Heart of Jesus” as a symbol of love, the Church strongly promotes devotion to Christ as the incarnate love of God who constantly cares for His “sheep,” just like the shepherd tends his flocks. Today, the devotion to the Sacred Heart underlines the centrality of Divine love, encouraging us to trust in God’s overflowing benevolence towards the world He has made. Today's first reading comes from the section of the prophet Ezekiel in which words are addressed to those who are entrusted with the care of God’s people. Here, God promised to take care of the divine flock since the local shepherds have not cared for the sheep as God ordered them. God will not only lead the flock to their homeland, He will provide rest, security and healing for all the sheep.

The second reading describes the attitude of God towards those whom God loves in and through Jesus. Paul challenges us to think about what it takes for us to be willing to lay down our life for others. The imagery of God as the Good Shepherd is presented in today's Gospel, as the shepherd went after one straying sheep, leaving the other ninety-nine in the wilderness and going after the lost one until He found it. Later on, Jesus transferred this Shepherd imagery to His life. He became the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for the sheep. The pierced Heart of Christ proclaims that greater love proclaimed by Jesus when He said: “No one can have greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus is the supreme revelation of God whose nature is love. All authentic love is life-giving and that is uniquely true of Jesus. He invites us who are burdened by life’s cares and crosses to come to Him and find rest, peace and hope. If we take a glimpse of the tremendous love of God for us, it can transform our hearts. It can empower us to love one another as God has loved us. Thus, in the Heart of Jesus, the centre of Christianity is set before us. It expresses everything, all that is genuinely new and revolutionary in the New Covenant. This Heart invites us to step forth out of the futile attempt of self-preservation and join in the task of love, by handing ourselves over to Him and with Him, to discover the fullness of love which alone is eternity that sustains the world.

May we be blessed as we reflect on the love that God has for us, so that we may be motivated to share the goodnews of God’s love with others! Amen!! Good morning and have a glorious day!!!