Word to the Wise
Friday, June 24, 2022 - Sacred Heart - C
[Ezek 34:11-16; Rom 5:5b-11; Luke 15:3-7]The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. [Romans]
Devotion to the heart of Jesus has its roots in the early MIddle Ages but became liturgically accepted in the 17th century in the publication of apparitions experienced by St. Margaret Mary Alocoque in which certain promises are made to those who faithfully follow the devotion. Those who are interested in the history can find a very good account in the Wikipedia article available online. Suffice it to say that devotion to the Sacred Heart is one of the most popular in the Catholic world. In many Catholic (and some Anglican, Lutheran and Orthodox) homes one may see a framed portrait of Jesus with his heart radiating love (much like the Divine Mercy portrait) and symbolizing the "enthronement" of the love of God in the home.
The scriptures assigned to the feast focus on God's sacrificial love for humanity. The passages from the prophecy of Ezekiel and the Gospel According to Luke emphasize the shepherd's love and dedication to the flock. St. Paul's words in Romans seem to echo Jesus' words in the Gospel According to John, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." [John 15:13]
In the encyclical Pope Benedict XVI co-authored with Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei, he says that faith is a response to an encounter with a love greater than any we could imagine. What remains important in devotion to the Sacred Heart (as in all Catholic devotions) is whether or not the devotion stops at the heart of the devotee or is radiated out to one's neighbor. The greatest commandments are two-fold: Love of God and love of neighbor. The love radiating from the heart of Jesus is not meant to be hoarded or individualized. The liturgical celebration of the feast of the Sacred Heart can help us to remember the sacredness of all humanity in God's love. AMEN