Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. As we hear in today readings this feast is a celebration of God’s love for us.: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.” This 2nd reading continues:
“In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us.”
God love is made real and concrete in the incarnation of Jesus. His life of compassion, service, and sacrifice shows us the “heart” and love of God. This feast of the Sacred Heart is also a challenge to us to respond to God’s love by being people of compassion and love:
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.”
We cannot claim to love God if we do not show love to one another. Jesus makes this very concrete:
“For I was hungry, I was thirsty, a stranger, naked, ill, in prison…Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:35-40)
We hear this same teaching echoed in today’s Gospel: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” These words seemed to be echoed on the pedestal plaque on the Statue of Liberty:
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Yesterday the US Bishops consecrated the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The prayer of consecration is both a prayer of thanksgiving to God and a prayer of challenge to us as a nation:
“O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: You know the longings of our hearts, and you desire that we enjoy friendship with you. From your pierced side, you have poured out the wellspring of life, for which we thirst. Your heart burns with a love for all people to return to a right relationship with you.
We celebrate the abundant gifts you have given this nation, founded on the self-evident truths that our Creator has endowed all people with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We make reparation for the offenses against you and against human dignity that have taken place in this nation.
May our hearts be united to yours, so that our families and communities enjoy peace and happiness; may broken relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired, and the wounds of our land be healed. May your holy Catholic Church serve as a sign, pointing all people to your infinite love.
O Desire of Nations and Center of History, we ask you to bless these United States of America. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!”
Image: “Compassionate Lord” by Lawrence OP is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.