The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
07th June 2024 (Friday)
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Thus says the Lord: When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.
Psalm Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcde, 5-6 (R. 3)
R/. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19
Brethren: To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realised in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his Glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. God loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : John 19:31-37
Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness – his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth – that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Guidelines: In a culture where advanced culture is equated with lack of heartiness and sensitivity, the festivity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is a challenge to foster a culture of heart
1. This feast of the most sacred heart of Jesus reveals and confirms to us that our God is a God of heart. That is, a God who values us so much, who loves us without end, always radiating upon us the rays of His care, a God whose heart burns with the flame, the fire of passion. It never gets cold, it never becomes lukewarm, but always passionate, always zealous.
2. Even if we are weak and fragile, even if we fall often, even if we make so many mistakes, even if we fail in our fidelity and sincerity, even if we lack in our responsibilities and duties, even if we do not deeply believe, live, and witness how we must like the believers, like the children of God and disciples of Christ, even if we often wound that beloved heart of Jesus – still despite all our weaknesses, faults, unfaithfulness, and unworthiness, God loves us. Jesus never fails to love us.
3. This fact of the love of God, so faithful and persevering, is today a matter of great comfort and encouragement. Especially in our times, in our society, where and when, unfortunately, the ambience and the culture of love, of the warmth of heart, of tenderness, of sensitivity, is diminishing, but instead a culture of hatred, rancour, indifference, violence, and evil is increasing, this celebration of the heart, of love, is a confirmation, a call, a challenge, and a guide for a way of living of love.
4. Today the Lord comforts us that he always pours his love over us. See what a tenderness and steadiness of God’s love in the first reading from Hosea: “When Israel was a child, I loved him … it was I who taught to walk. I took them up in my arms … I healed them. I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love. I bent down to them and fed them”.
5. So, never doubt that God loves us, even if sometimes we are surmounted by difficulties, upset by afflictions, beset by unfavourable situations. Trust in God. Trust in his love. Feel the warmth of his heart. Experience the passion, the fire of his love. Be open and docile to the marvel of his love.
6. Not only this but also we are called to foster a deep love for him. Love God. Let us be gripped with a passionate feeling, a powerful bond with the Lord. Many times we feel a lot of interest, enthusiasm, anxiety, and concern for many things. But how much is the intensity and depth for the Lord?
7. How do we cooperate with God’s commitment as He promises: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will remove your heart of stone and put back a heart of flesh “(Ezek 36. 26). That is, a heart that is warm, tender, sensitive, and caring, a heart that is open, which understands, accepts, forgives, and helps.
Practice: Let us grow such a heart towards God and towards others. Let us open our hearts to God and to our sisters and brothers. Let us widen our hearts. Let us guard them, heal, enrich, and transform our hearts so that our hearts also become like the sacred heart of Jesus.
