“Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them”
This coming Friday, June 12, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This feast highlights the reality of Jesus' human heart and the love that he has for humanity. It has deep roots in the Salesian spiritual tradition (the tradition based on the teachings of St. Francis de Sales and those associated with him), and is particularly tied with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Sister of the Visitation who had visions of Jesus' Sacred Heart in the 1670s.
By chance (or perhaps God's providence), this coming Sunday's readings are also all about the heart of God and God's love for humanity. The first reading from Exodus has God saying to the people of Israel "if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people." The Psalm is one of praise to God and about the joy of being God's people. And then, in St. Paul's Letter to the Romans, we are reminded that "God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us."
Then in Sunday's Gospel there is a direct reference to the heart of Jesus when it says, "At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd." This moment inspires him to send out the Apostles to "make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons." And this mission remains that of the Church to this very day.
So, as we hear so much about God's love for us in the coming days, let us not forget our goal as Christians and the desired effect of the Church's sacraments: for our hearts to become more like the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us pray this week that we may grow in our ability to love humanity like God does. And even when humanity disappoints us or embarrasses us, let us pray that we may still go forth and lovingly proclaim that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand," just as Jesus sent the Apostles to do.
Want to prepare your heart and mind for Mass this weekend? Click here to find the readings for this Sunday's Mass.
