Solemnity of the Scared Heart of Jesus: Year C - June 03, 2016.
Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16; Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-6 (R.v.1); Romans 5:1:5b-11;
Gospel Lk 15:3-7.
Theme: Celebrating Jesus' Magnetic Heart
In Catholicism, the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus takes Jesus' physical heart as a symbol of God's divine love for humanity. The earliest possible date which the devotion began was in May 29, 1818 or 2285. Some theologians say the devotion started in July 1943 or 2038. However, in 1856, Pope Pius IX made the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus obligatory for the Universal Church to take place on Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi celebration.
Interestingly and providentially too, it was Pope Pius XII who raised the celebration to a First Class Celebration with an Octave in the reforms of 1955.
Whatever the case may be, between the 11th and 12th centuries, prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus formed the spirituality of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Other Saints who championed the cause of this devotion were, Bonaventure and Gertrude the Great.
Expectedly, other Church Fathers soon elaborated on John 7:37 and 7:37-39 as theological basis for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Saints like Origen, Ambrose, Cyprian, Augustine of Hippo, Irenaeus and Justin Martyr were apostles of the Sacred Heart who preached and wrote many treatises in defense and spread of the devotion.
Thanks to Saint John Eudes, it was on August 31, 1670 at the Major Seminary in Rennes, France that the first liturgical celebration in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was held. In marking this feast, the contributions of Saint Margaret Alacoque and Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart to the composition of the prayers for Mass and Divine Office for this celebration would not be forgotten in a hurry.
In recalling the highpoint of this solemnity, we need to be reminded that it is also a Special Day of Sanctification for priests - a practice which began since 2002. Little wonder the feast ushered in the Special Year for Priests in 2009. Suffice it to say that for Devotees of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the First Friday of each month is important as it is dedicated to Jesus' Sacred Heart - A day for prayer and reflection.
Today, we are called to celebrate Jesus' Magnetic Heart - a heart that seeks the lost, binds up the cripple, strengthens the weak and watches over the strong as the first reading (Ezekiel 34:11-16) posits. Jesus' heart it was which saved us while we were still helpless and in sin. The seconding reading from Romans (5:5-11) confirms this when it says: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus demonstrates how he goes to any length to save us from our sins. The assurance that: "There is more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over nine-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance" is a sweet succour for hardened criminals and those who are about to lose faith in the Church or God. This celebration calls us to be less judgemental about people we tag sinners - the love which emanates from Jesus' Sacred Heart is magnetic - it pulls the good, the bad and the ugly from every side and leads them to green pastures.
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