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Friday, June 18, 2004

Meditation
Psalm 23

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What a beautiful image to remind us of Jesus’ abundant love for us! On the spiritual level, it was this heart that freely chose to die for us so that we could come back to the Father. And on the physical level, it was this heart that was wounded by a lance and that spilled its blood on the ground so that our wounds could be healed and we could be lifted up from the earth.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is so powerful, and yet it can be far too easy to forget that divine love is still flowing from it. Whether we are housewives or parish priests, business executives or day laborers, we all have demands that can seem overwhelming at times. When we let these demands take center stage, we can lose sight of the fact that Jesus is with us, eager to pour out his love, lift our burdens, and give us joy and hope.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus wants to be with us every step of our journey. He wants to be the shepherd that Psalm 23 describes, staying with us no matter how deep the valley or how oppressive the darkness. He wants to feed us and care for us even when we feel surrounded by enemies.

As lyrical and comforting as this psalm is, it is much more than moving poetry. It is a statement of truth. Jesus really is our Shepherd. He really does want to lead us to a place of rest—to his sacred heart. He’s just waiting for us to surrender to him. Of course we doubt we are good enough for him. Of course we wonder what will happen to us if we give in to him. Of course we fear the unknown. But Jesus knows our weaknesses and our doubts. That’s why he allowed his heart to be pierced in the first place! On this day of mercy and grace, let him show you the depths of his love. Gaze upon his Sacred Heart and let his love melt your heart.

“Thank you, Jesus, for your Sacred Heart. Thank you for loving me so deeply. Come, Lord, and make me your own. Make me into a reflection of your heart to the world.”

One Bread, One Body

All Issues > Volume 20, Number 4

<< Friday, June 18, 2004 >>

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Ezekiel 34:11-16
Romans 5:5-11

Psalm 23
Luke 15:3-7

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HIS HEART IS RUNNING

“It is precisely in this that God proves His love for us: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8

God became incarnate. He became a human being. “In Jesus Christ God not only speaks to man but also seeks him out. The Incarnation of the Son of God attests that God goes in search of man. Jesus speaks of this search as the finding of a lost sheep (cf Lk 15:1-7). It is a search which begins in the heart of God and culminates in the Incarnation of the Word” (Towards the Third Millennium, 7). God is the Good Shepherd, humbling Himself to the point that He runs after and pursues His lost sheep. The all-holy, almighty God empties Himself (see Phil 2:7) and chases after mere human beings. This humble love of God is revealed in the prophetic vision of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In imitation of the incarnate Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and His Sacred Heart, let us:

humbly chase after sinners to show God’s love for them,
wash the feet of others (see Jn 13:4ff),
open and expose our hearts to others (see 2 Cor 6:11-13), even in crucified vulnerability, and
lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ and even for our enemies (1 Jn 3:16).

Jesus commanded and promised: “Take My yoke upon your shoulders and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29). Learn not only to love the Sacred Heart of Jesus but also to love as the Sacred Heart loves.

Prayer: Sacred Heart of Jesus, on this day devoted to prayer for the holiness of priests, I ask for Your mercy. I put my trust in You.

Promise: “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.” —Rm 5:5

Praise: Praise the exposed, wounded, thorn-crowned, bleeding, and merciful Heart of Jesus!