Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

In this way, the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

It is customary in our world to associate love with the heart. Hence speaking of the sacred heart of Jesus is to stress the tremendous love he had for us, as shown in his willingness to die on the cross because of us. There is also an allusion to the fact that when on the cross, a lance was thrust into Christ’s heart, causing blood and water to flow out. The Fathers of the Church interpreted this as a reference to the sacraments of baptism and Eucharist, which give life and love to Christians.

John’s Gospel, as well as the epistles, emphasize the importance of love. This imperative is emphasized in today’s epistle—stressing it longer and harder than at any other point in this letter. He wants to ensure we understand that love is not an optional virtue for the believer. It is to be the distinguishing mark of the church in the world. John goes so far as to say that if you do not love others, you do not know God (John 4:8). We all need to examine our lives by this supreme standard.

We remind ourselves of the love that flows from Jesus’ heart in every Mass. There we enter into his willingness to lay down his life for us. Sharing in communion, we accept this love and promise to incarnate it in our own lives.

How seriously do I take the commandment to love others as Jesus loved us?

Let Us Pray:

O Jesus, let me come to appreciate more and more your love for us. May I judge whether I genuinely appreciate this by how I love even my enemies.