Daily Reflection Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Absorbing all of today’s readings as a unit, highlights the fact that the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was alive and loving long before Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb, and perhaps more importantly, it continues to be alive and loving today. This certainly is something to rejoice about as Isaiah purports, and to be in absolute awe of, as St. Paul shares in the letter to the Ephisians.

But what strikes me the most today, is how merciful God is in the first reading from Hosea. He uses tender human images to express his love for us. In doing so, we can begin to grasp how loved by God we are. The tenderness extends beyond simply loving, through the hurt of betrayal, and to the deep love of forgiveness. In my appreciation, I am reminded of how little I really understand the love of God. 

As God says to Ephraim, “I am God, not man” the concept of great distance between us and God, rings in my ears, and indeed scares me a little. We know, however, that distance happens, not because God creates it, but as a result of human frailty, we do. Our brains simply cannot comprehend something as vast and ever present as the love of God. If we could, loving our neighbor would be easy!

I’m glad to have time set aside to contemplate the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In doing so, the phrase, “is now, always was, and ever shall be,'' takes on an ever more precious meaning. We are afforded the opportunity to glimpse the eternity of God’s love, made manifest in Jesus Christ of course, but also in our own hearts. 

What does this enormous, joyful love bring with it? Responsibility? Perhaps, but I like the word “call” better. As we contemplate the Sacred Heart of God we are called, as if magnetically, to become one with God’s love. This love is, above all else, a demonstrative love. We are called to be demonstrators of God’s love with all we encounter. Simultaneously, however, through this union with God’s love, we are supported with all we need to achieve it. This is the miracle of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us rejoice!