On this Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we celebrate in a special way the love God has for us, especially as expressed through the life, sufferings, and death of Jesus.
In earlier times, especially in the Middle Ages, devotion to the Sacred Heart was centered on the wound in the side of Christ. In later times, especially arising from the visions of St. Margaret Mary, the emphasis has shifted more to the Heart of the Lord, as a symbol of the love of Jesus and hence the love of God for us.
What a joy it is to celebrate the extraordinary love of God, made known to us in such an extraordinary way by the sufferings, death, and rising of Jesus! Be sure to make some time today to reflect on the many ways in which that love has been shown to us in our lives and continues to be shown. But let us not stop there. If we are fully to receive His love and if it is to be truly effective in our lives, then it must be passed on to every person we meet. “By this will all know that you are my followers, that you show love for one another.” (John 13, 35) And this love is to have no limits, no exceptions. It is to be extended even to those who are hostile to us. According to the Lord Himself, our love must be a love of forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, and compassion.
Let us pray. “ Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who glory in the Heart of your Beloved Son and recall the wonders of His love for us, may be made worthy to receive an overflowing measure of grace from that font of heavenly gifts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
