SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS: reflection
Theme: They shall look on Him whom they have pierced.
Readings: Hosea 11:1,3–4,8c-9, Eph 3:8–12,14–19, Jn. 19:31–37
St. John reminded us in today’s gospel reading of the ancient prophecy that was fulfilled while Jesus hung dead on the cross. The prophecy said: “they shall look on him whom they have pierced”, and as Jesus was hanging on the cross, his side was pierced with a lance, causing water and blood to flow out from his heart. History told us that the blood and water which flowed out from the pierced heart of Jesus performed a miracle there and then in the life of the soldier who pierced Jesus with a lance; his poor eyesight that was touched by the blood and water from the heart of Jesus was healed; he repented, embraced the faith and died a saint. His name is St Longinus.
Today, the Church presents us with this same Heart of Jesus that heals, cleanses and forgives sins, inviting us to cling to it and be made whole. The prophet Hosea, in the first reading, described the wonderful nature of this heart of God when he quoted God saying: “My heart recoils within me, my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute fierce anger, I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come to destroy.” The heart of God boils with love for us; it wants to envelop us with love every minute of the day.
On 27th December, 1673, this heart that is burning with the fire of love for us spoke to the entire humanity through Sr. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647–1690) saying: “My Divine Heart is so passionately in love with humanity that it can no longer contain within itself the flames of its ardent love. It must pour them out. I have chosen you for this great plan.”
Dear friends, the heart of Jesus wants to light up our hearts with its flames of love, healing, grace, and favours; it wants to burn away the traces of sin in us and restore us to the original plan of God for us. Don’t close the door of your own heart to this heart of Jesus that is earnestly seeking to enter, encounter and change your heart and life.
Most Sacred heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us. Amen
Fr Isaac Chima