Catechism Links [1]
CCC 210-211, 604: God’s mercy
CCC 430, 478, 545, 589, 1365, 1439, 1825, 1846: Christ’s love for all
CCC 2669: The Heart of Christ worthy of adoration
CCC 766, 1225: The Church born from the pierced side of Christ
CCC 1432, 2100: Christ’s love moves our hearts
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| “The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN |
Readings for the Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus [2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [3]
Commentary:
Reading 1: Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Commentary on Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
The Prophet Hosea, speaking with God’s voice, uses the metaphor of a parent’s love for a child to express God’s love for the people of Israel and Ephraim. With love, says the prophet, God sees a child who turns away from their parent, turning their backs upon God himself, and sacrificing to other gods. In spite of this faithless behavior, in Hosea’s oracle he promises not to destroy them (again) by flames. (Note: in part d of v. 8 not included in this passage, the prophet makes reference to Admah and Zeboiim: cities destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah. Deuteronomy 29:22)
CCC: Hos 11 219; Hos 11:1-4 370; Hos 11:1 219, 441, 530; Hos 11:9 208
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Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Commentary on Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
This hymn of praise is a profession of faith: “My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.” It also does something interesting in that it challenges those who profess their faith in the Lord to proclaim it in the world: “…among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.”
Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Commentary on Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
This hymn of praise is a profession of faith: “My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior.” It also does something interesting in that it challenges those who profess their faith in the Lord to proclaim it in the world: “…among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.”
This canticle emphasizes the peace and confidence found in his servant, enjoying the salvation of God. He sings his praise to God and exhorts all of Israel to praise him as they see his constant presence among them in the blessings they receive.
CCC: Is 12:3 2561
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Reading II: Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19
Commentary on Eph 3:8-12, 14-19
St. Paul’s dialogue on the unity of all the faithful in Christ is continued in this passage. The apostle pronounces Gentiles as coheirs to the salvation offered by God in Jesus, and uses the analogy of the “body” to signify the degree to which all are united. He concludes this passage with a summary of the grace and richness offered in proclaiming Christ to the world using himself as example.
Reading II: Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19
Commentary on Eph 3:8-12, 14-19
St. Paul’s dialogue on the unity of all the faithful in Christ is continued in this passage. The apostle pronounces Gentiles as coheirs to the salvation offered by God in Jesus, and uses the analogy of the “body” to signify the degree to which all are united. He concludes this passage with a summary of the grace and richness offered in proclaiming Christ to the world using himself as example.
“The apostle prays that those he is addressing may, like the rest of the church, deepen their understanding of God's plan of salvation in Christ. It is a plan that affects the whole universe with the breadth and length and height and depth of God's love in Christ or possibly the universe in all its dimensions.” [5]
CCC: Eph 3:8 424; Eph 3:9-12 221; Eph 3:9-11 772; Eph 3:9 1066; Eph 3:12 2778; Eph 3:14 239, 2214, 2367; Eph 3:16-17 1073, 2714; Eph 3:16 1995; Eph 3:18-21 2565
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Gospel: John 19:31-37
Commentary on Jn 19:31-37
This passage from St. John’s Gospel concerning the immediate aftermath of Jesus’ death focuses on the meaning these events have in light of the Messianic vision. The evangelist sees these events as further signs, confirming the identity of Christ as the Messiah. The first important note is the relationship between the death of Christ, the Sabbath, and Passover. The Lord’s death on Friday, the day before the Sabbath required that the Jews ask Pilate to have the bodies of the condemned removed. It was against Hebrew Law to have them exposed on the Sabbath.
Gospel: John 19:31-37
Commentary on Jn 19:31-37
This passage from St. John’s Gospel concerning the immediate aftermath of Jesus’ death focuses on the meaning these events have in light of the Messianic vision. The evangelist sees these events as further signs, confirming the identity of Christ as the Messiah. The first important note is the relationship between the death of Christ, the Sabbath, and Passover. The Lord’s death on Friday, the day before the Sabbath required that the Jews ask Pilate to have the bodies of the condemned removed. It was against Hebrew Law to have them exposed on the Sabbath.
Breaking the legs of the two thieves was a painful and brutal, but expedient, means of hastening their deaths so they could be removed. We note the special importance placed upon fact that Jesus was already dead. The actions of the soldiers, first in not breaking his legs and then piercing his side with a lance, are seen as fulfilling biblical prophecy concerning the Messiah. We also see the special emphasis placed upon the fact that when the soldiers thrust the lance into Jesus’ side water and blood flowed out. While there is medical support for this physical event, the evangelist intends it to represent the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, both of which would have been understood by the early Christian community.
The fact that this was especially noted as an eyewitness account is the evangelist's way of establishing the importance of these events as the fulfillment of prophecy. St John first quotes the Passover ritual laid out in Exodus 12: 46 and Numbers 9:12 which stipulate that the bones of the Passover sacrifice may not be broken. He then goes on making reference to Zechariah 12: 10, quoting “they shall look on him whom they have thrust through”.
CCC: Jn 19:31 641; Jn 19:34 478, 694, 1225; Jn 19:36 608; Jn 19:37 1432
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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)
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)
St. John’s account of the events immediately following the Lord’s death on the Cross provide the logic for the identity of the Messiah to those who care to trace Jesus’ predicted coming back to antiquity. The evangelist takes pains to relate these events to insure that we see that the Lord’s death, while tragic, was pre-ordained – it had to happen and only God could have stopped it.
While the events so carefully laid out show us the inevitability of Christ’s death, we must look to other scripture to remind us of the intense love and forgiveness his death represented. There is a faint echo of that love expressed in Hosea as the people of God are analogized as beloved children. St. Paul attempts to give some sense of that great affection as he encourages the church of Ephesus.
Ultimately we each must look at the lifeless body that once contained the spirit of God and understand the pain and suffering endured for us and for our salvation. Our comfort is this that this day we contemplate not so much how we have failed to love as Christ loved us, but rather his unfathomable love for us. If we think about how intensely our parents love us, and then understand that the Lord loves us even more completely, we begin to get an understanding of that blessing that engulfs us. So beyond our comprehension is this immeasurable gift that we look to the saints to describe their God-given visions of the warmth that comes from that ultimate source.
Today we pray once more that the Lord will help us love as he does, without judgment, without reserve, in perfect acceptance of all we meet. We thank him for his example and ask for the strength for follow it, especially with those who most need to feel its warmth.
Pax
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[2] The picture is “The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN
[5] See NAB footnote on Ephesians 3: 14-21.
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