A reflection on the meaning of the Feast of the Sacred Heart

1. Feast of the Sacred Heart July 1, 2011 The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart  USA Province 305 S. Lake Street, PO Box 270  Aurora, IL 60507 (630) 892-2371  info@misacor-usa.org

2. In whatever way, great or small, that we can touch someone’s heart with even a little bit of love, we are all being Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Fr. Ray Diesbourg, MSC – Provincial

3. The Feast of the Sacred Heart reminds us that we are called to the fullness of life through the love of Jesus.

4. It has been revealed just how much God is willing to love us by sending the Son. God’s love is made real and personified in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Because the heart is a symbol of love, the Sacred Heart represents God’s love for us.

5. This feast is not some kind of Valentine’s Day from God. It is not about an image of a soft, almost fragile man smiling at us with his heart in his hand. It is about: faithfulness in suffering constancy in mission sacrificial love belief in God and humanity.

6. There is no revenge to human violence in that strong heart of God. His heart is a catalyst for a new humanity based on forgiveness at whatever cost; the doorway to a new option in life for each one of us.

7. In our world filled with violence and hate God gives us new hope in ourselves. We can learn from his Sacred Heart that together with him we are capable of love and forgiveness.

8. Jesus lived in poverty and was part of a minority people living under discrimination and persecution. Early in life he lived as an immigrant in a foreign land. He suffered the criticism and ridicule of his own religious leaders. Many people wanted his help, but did not really believe in him.

9. His chosen followers were very slow to understand and at first were not very faithful. A disciple-friend betrayed him with a kiss. Another denied him. The rest disappeared when he most needed them. Image source

10. He suffered all the imaginable forms of torture of his time right up to crucifixion itself. His response: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing”.

11. He saw the worst of humanity and yet continued to not only believe in it, but actually in his own humanity show us a new and loving response: forgiveness. Image source

12. The next time we look at one of those paintings or images of the Sacred Heart we should look more closely at the heart in his hand. It has a cross and thorns and it is pierced by a lance. It also burns with loving forgiveness.

13. There is nothing any of us can do or have done that can change that heart. Image source

14. God does and will always love each of us and when we begin to believe that, everything changes.

15. We change. We forgive. We live.

16. Love is a risk. It is being willing to go into unchartered waters. It has to do with believing and not knowing. Jesus invites us into the thrill of a loving relationship with him without knowing where it will lead us. Fr. Joseph Jablonski, MSC

17. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere!

18. Prayer of Consecration to the Sacred Heart Lord Jesus, we praise you and celebrate the love of your heart. We honor you, we glorify you. We are grateful for your help this day. We offer our thanks; we consecrate and give our hearts to you. Take them, hold them fast and make them your own forever. Fill them with your life. Let us follow all the ways you mark for us. Jesus, merciful Savior, may your love be known everywhere.V: May all people know the goodness of God.All: And God’s wonderful kindness toward them. Lord Jesus, with renewed kindness you enrich your Church with the boundless gifts of your heart. Help us to respond to such love, to Serve you truly in our lives, and to live as reflections of yourself---holy and blameless— so that others may come to the fullness of Christian life. Amen.