Friday 19th June 2020
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus
Deuteronomy 7:6-11, 1 John
4:7-16, Matthew 11:25-30
If you enter many Catholic homes
today, the most common altar you will see is that of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and Immaculate Heart of Mary. The devotion to the Sacred Heart was encouraged
by mediaeval mystics and promoted by St Gertrude, St Margaret Mary
Alacoque, St John Eudes and others. It represents a devotion to Jesus in
his loving human nature. This feast does not have a fixed date, it is celebrated
19 days after Pentecost. It is the celebration of the love of God for humanity.
In the first reading of today, we
hear Moses tell the Israelites that it was out of the love of God which flows
from his sacred heart that he chose them as his people. We all are the new
people of God and he has chosen us to be his children. God did not choose us
because we are perfect or better than others, but just because of his love,
grace and mercy. As Moses advised today, we have to obey God's laws and follow
his ordinances.
In the second reading, John tells
us that Jesus accepted to take our human nature and die for our sins out of his
love for us. We in turn have to love one another just as God loves us. Anyone
who does not love, does not know God because God is the fullness of love.
Dedicate you life to the sacred
heart of Jesus today, so that you too can emit the love of God to others. Only
those who are conscious of the love of
God can genuinely show love to others and live peacefully with them. God help
us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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