A loving heart transforms others Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus JUNE 2023

HOMILY ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS, YEAR A 

Deut.7:6-11; Ps.103; 1John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30

A loving heart transforms others

The heart is the center of human thoughts and the influencer of human actions. Often times when people are referred to as good or bad, it is their hearts that is being described. From one's actions and inactions, the heart is known. Today, we are celebrating the heart of Jesus as a result of what Jesus himself is and has been to us. First, the fact that Jesus who is God is able to possess a heart means that he was truly and fully man. God became man in Jesus for reason of what God wanted to do for man. If God was not love, Jesus would not have incarnated, and he would not have had a heart. To have possessed a heart already means that Jesus is love. Love is something pure because it is selfless; thus Jesus’ heart is Sacred.

The first reading and the gospel reading took a position in describing the sacred heart. This position is one that speaks of our resemblance and relationship to the Sacred Heart. In the first reading, Moses told the people that they are a HOLY people to the Lord. In his love, God kept the oath He swore to their fathers by redeeming them. In redeeming them, he invited them to love and faithfulness. God cannot be our Father if we are not resembling Him.

In the gospel reading, Jesus is thankful to God the Father because He has been able to invite the disciples into the life of love by revealing Himself to them. While the first reading tells us our obligation to God’s love, the gospel reading tells us of our right. It is our obligation to love the God who has first loved us; it is our right to take up our troubles and concerns to the God who continues to love us. When people share filial relationship, exchange of gifts becomes a practice. So also will those who live in the love of God always experience Divine Intervention.

In the second reading, St. John reiterated the need for us to love one another which is the ultimate sign that we love God. The wickedness of men’s heart constitutes a challenge to this commandment. How do I love someone who has treated me maliciously? Do I not have a right to be angry when offended? Experiences in life seem to convince us that we just cannot get along with certain persons. The harder we try, the more we lose ourselves. How then do we understand and practice this commandment of love?

Beloved, love does not demand that we should deny our humanness. Jesus is love yet he was angry when offended; he confronted the evil and unfaithfulness of those of his time; He went into hiding when His life was sought for. He did not seek to please everyone, yet he loved all. To love is to mean well for another, no matter the sacrifice involved. This would mean that we will not revenge wrongs but we must ensure that justice takes its course. Do not mistake love for pacifying wrongdoings. When we are indifferent in the face of evil, we become guilty of permitting it. When we confront and contradict evil, we are instituting the Good. For love, Jesus died to save us. Love is all about turning evil to good no matter the cost.