11th June 2021
THE FEAST OF LOVE
Hos 11:1.3-4.8c-9;
Ps Is 12,
Eph 3:8-12.14-19,
Jn 19:31-37
The heart is considered as the seat of love. Out of love for the people of Israel, ‘the Lord set his heart,’ Dt 10:15, on them and chose them, bringing them out of their slavery with a mighty hand. He loved them despite their unfaithfulness. St. John teaches that God is love and “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him” 1John 4:9. The Heart of Jesus is the seat of this highest form of love, as Jesus abides in God and God abides in him, in the most perfect form.
The solemnity of the Sacred Heart is the celebration of that love. The Lord has poured out his blood for the salvation of the entire human race. He did this because he loves us just the way we are. By the standards of the world, it would be surprising but true – even if we don’t respond to his love, Jesus still continues to love us. He waits patiently for us to respond to his love.
Today’s feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, reminds us that the Lord’s love for us is unconditional. It is not a response to our goodness; it makes us good. It is not a love that waits for us to seek it out; it is a love that is constantly seeking us out. Today’s feast invites us to keep on trusting in God’s loving initiative towards us through his Son and the Holy Spirit, regardless of where we find ourselves in life. It is a feast that prompts us to cry out with Saint Paul, ‘I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me,’ Gal 2:20.
Honouring the Sacred Heart of Jesus is then, honouring God, who is love. Jesus reveals the tenderness, gentleness and sweetness of his heart as he says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest” Mathew 11:28.
Blood and water gushed forth from his side which was pierced on the cross. The blood symbolizing the pouring forth of his love for human race and the water symbolizing means of our purification and transformation.
Our good shepherd loved us even when we were sinners. How much are we able to reciprocate? We are called to imbibe and imitate the qualities of Jesus’ heart: love, compassion, mercy, tenderness, gentleness and sweetness. Do I make an effort to reach out to others in love and compassion as God himself reached out to us in love and compassion by sending his own Son for our salvation?
May the heart of Jesus envelop us in his infinite love and wash us of all our sins so that we may find in Jesus’ heart the infinite Ocean of mercy and forgiveness.
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