I used to call today’s feast “Jesus Loves Me Day,” and I would celebrate with a cinnamon latte or an extra dessert after dinner. In truth, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart is an occasion for much joy yes, but also a call to conversion and a reminder to mourn the sufferings of our Beloved Lord.
Although devotion to the Sacred Heart dates back to the 11th century, Jesus’ apparitions to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 17th century led to the popularity and understanding our Church has today. St. Margaret wrote in her autobiography of these visions:
“My Divine Master revealed to me that it was His ardent desire to be known, loved, and honored by men, and His eager desire to draw them back from the road to perdition, along which Satan is driving them in countless numbers, that induced Him to manifest His Heart to men with all the treasures of love, mercy, grace, sanctification, and salvation that It contains.”
Already in these words we see the paradox of the Sacred Heart in play. Jesus Christ longs to save mankind from the sin in which we lose ourselves, and He craves our love. He manifested His love for us to St. Margaret because it was so unrequited. This truth is sobering, and yet, it has led to a deeper knowledge of the mercy, love, and eternal joy offered to us.
The Mass readings for today also give us equal cause for happiness and contrition. Paul writes in the second reading from Romans: “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Indeed, it would only be with great heroism that any of us would die for those who treat us well, and yet Jesus died for His enemies and the cold-hearted people who claim to be His followers. What unfathomable love! Yes, let us celebrate how Christ does not ask us to earn His love. But, let us also grieve how the Sacred Heart of Jesus is broken and betrayed billions of times over.
Today’s Gospel presents the parable of the shepherd who leaves his flock of 99 sheep to fetch one who has wandered away. Jesus underlines the elation of the shepherd who finds such a lost sheep, showing us how God delights in one little soul who returns to the sheepfold. This delight in reconciliation should spur us to action. Just one lost sheep returned to her shepherd can bring true comfort to our suffering Lord. We can be that one sheep if we permit Christ to carry us home. Further, we can pray ardently for the conversion of sinners so that this joy might multiply.
“[The indifference of my people] is more grievous to Me,” Jesus said to St. Margaret Mary, “than all that I endured in my Passion. If they would only give Me some return of love, I should not reckon all that I have done for them, and I would do yet more if possible…You, at least, can give Me the happiness of making up for their ingratitude, as much as you can.”
Jesus tells us through this saint that our love and devotion, which could never make up for the pain mankind has caused Him, can still give Him happiness. This message is a gift.
The flames that ignite the Heart of Jesus in the image of the Sacred Heart are unquenchable, and they long to spread. Today, I’m still going to enjoy my cinnamon latte, but I’m also going to fall to my knees in prayer. While I reflect on the burning pain of Jesus Ignored, I can begin to make up for my own ingratitude and the world’s irreverence by showering His Heart in tender devotion. And because He is so good, He will allow the little sparks of my heart to feed the fire of His.
By Genevieve O’Connor, Communications Specialist and Campus Minister of Muhlenberg College, Allentown. She holds an MTS in Moral Theology from the University of Notre Dame and an MFA in Creative Writing from DeSales University, Center Valley.
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