Information about the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus[1]
Readings for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus[2]
Reading from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ez 34:11-16
The prophet presents the allegory of God, the shepherd. In this oracle the vision is God the Father, like a shepherd, will gather the people of Israel from the foreign lands to which they have been driven and bring them back to “the mountains of Israel”.
The tenderness shown by the good shepherd toward the sheep is especially poignant on a feast day were we celebrate the intense love of Christ for the people of the world.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Perhaps the most popular psalm in Holy Scripture, the 23rd Psalm used here supports the image of the Good Shepherd used in Ezekiel above. This passage reinforces the role of the shepherd not just as protector but as leader.
Reading II Rom 5:5b-11
In this selection of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, the apostle speaks of how the love of Christ is for not just those who are righteous but for those who are sinners as well. His love of all mankind (exemplified today as the Sacred Heart of Jesus) was demonstrated vividly as he laid down his life so we might be reconciled to God.
Gospel Lk 15:3-7
The Gospel of St. Luke gives us the parable of the Lost Sheep, linking the metaphor of the good shepherd from Ezekiel with the love of God for those who are lost to sin. This parable along with the parable of the lost coin and the prodigal son gives insight into the special love of Christ for those who are lost but through repentance are found.
Reflection:
“Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: ‘The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me.’ He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, ‘is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings’ without exception. " (Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 478)
How do we understand a love so intense, so complete, so all encompassing that even as our lover died on the cross of our hatred, his sorrow was not for himself but for those who committed the heinous act? How do we respond to a love so pure that our lover returned from heaven so that we would not be left without guidance?
Readings for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus[2]
Reading from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Ez 34:11-16
The prophet presents the allegory of God, the shepherd. In this oracle the vision is God the Father, like a shepherd, will gather the people of Israel from the foreign lands to which they have been driven and bring them back to “the mountains of Israel”.
The tenderness shown by the good shepherd toward the sheep is especially poignant on a feast day were we celebrate the intense love of Christ for the people of the world.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Perhaps the most popular psalm in Holy Scripture, the 23rd Psalm used here supports the image of the Good Shepherd used in Ezekiel above. This passage reinforces the role of the shepherd not just as protector but as leader.
Reading II Rom 5:5b-11
In this selection of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, the apostle speaks of how the love of Christ is for not just those who are righteous but for those who are sinners as well. His love of all mankind (exemplified today as the Sacred Heart of Jesus) was demonstrated vividly as he laid down his life so we might be reconciled to God.
Gospel Lk 15:3-7
The Gospel of St. Luke gives us the parable of the Lost Sheep, linking the metaphor of the good shepherd from Ezekiel with the love of God for those who are lost to sin. This parable along with the parable of the lost coin and the prodigal son gives insight into the special love of Christ for those who are lost but through repentance are found.
Reflection:
“Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: ‘The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me.’ He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, ‘is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings’ without exception. " (Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 478)
How do we understand a love so intense, so complete, so all encompassing that even as our lover died on the cross of our hatred, his sorrow was not for himself but for those who committed the heinous act? How do we respond to a love so pure that our lover returned from heaven so that we would not be left without guidance?
The metaphor of the Shepherd who protects, guides, and heals his sheep is the barest shadow of the loving image of our Lord and Savior whose Sacred Heart we revere today. Our only response can be to link our hearts to his through prayer:
Lord, we beseech You, let your Holy Spirit kindle in our hearts that fire of charity which Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, sent forth from His inmost heart upon this earth, and willed that it should burn with vehemence. Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
[1] The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus used today is by an UNKNOWN artist
[2] After Links Expire
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