On Friday we celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. This solemnity assures us of the infinite love of our Savior who died upon the cross and rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures.
Quoting from Pope Benedict XVI concerning this solemnity: “In biblical language, "heart" indicates the centre of the person where his sentiments and intentions dwell. In the Heart of the Redeemer we adore God's love for humanity, his will for universal salvation, his infinite mercy. Practicing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Christ therefore means adoring that Heart which, after having loved us to the end, was pierced by a spear and from high on the Cross poured out blood and water, an inexhaustible source of new life.”
Therefore, may we be thankful for this infinite font of love which loves us so dearly. May we come this day and always to “Behold, the Heart which so loved us.” Instead of looking inwardly upon our self may we instead turn our attention towards the Heart of Jesus. With our attention placed here we will grow in our love for God, love for neighbor, and disgust for sin.
One fitting place to place out attention is upon the Eucharist for it is here that we come to discover Jesus and His infinite Heart of love. It is here where we will come to discover His love for us and His love which is poured out for the whole world. May we adore our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar for from this devotion we will come to know the heart of our Savior.
The Heart of our Savior is most beautifully shown to us in today’s Gospel. His Heart pours out with love and compassion for that one sinner who has wondered away. There are none of us here who can claim that they have been perfect disciples of our Lord. Nevertheless, we must remember this Heart of love who never ceased to love us. Instead of ceasing to love us it continued to pour out love and mercy upon us until we were healed.
In this Year of Mercy I hope that we will entrust ourself to this infinite font of mercy. I also hope that during this Year of Mercy that we will come to know and trust in the Heart of Christ. Through the Heart of Christ may we too come to share in His desire to save souls and to go after the lost sheep.
Our world is filled with many distractions and messages which go against the values contained within the Gospels. We as Christians must turn away from these messages and live lives of Christian virtue. If we want our world to be reformed we must the ones who not only talk about it, but put our words into action by the way that we choose to live our life.
From our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus may we learn to imitate the true and sacrificial love which has been poured out for each of us.
