THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS (SOLEMNITY)

Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.

Today, on this feast of the Sacred Heart, we are presented with two portrayals of Jesus. One is the familiar image associated with the Sacred Heart devotion: Jesus pointing to his heart, which is aflame with love and encircled with thorns. The other comes from today’s readings portraying Jesus as the Good Shepherd. So how are they related?

The good shepherd in Jesus’ parable takes the incredible risk of leaving the rest of his flock; he doesn’t want to lose a single one of his dearly beloved sheep. Similarly, God took an incredible risk: he sent his own Son to live among us, his sheep. That’s what the heart represents in the Sacred Heart image. God, the Creator of the universe, took on a human heart so that he could be our Good Shepherd and call each of us by name (John 10:3). In coming to us in the flesh, God fulfilled the promise he made to Ezekiel in today’s first reading: “I myself will pasture my sheep” (34:15).

Not only did God come as a human being to teach and guide us, however; he also came to save us by laying down his life for us. That’s what the circle of thorns in the Sacred Heart image brings to mind. Through his passion, death, and resurrection, Jesus ensured that none of us would have to be lost forever. Just as a good shepherd protects his flock from the dangers of the wilderness, Jesus rescued us from Satan, sin, and death. He rescued us even when it meant a crown of thorns, a brutal scourging, and an excruciating death on the cross.

As Jesus showed us in his parable of the lost sheep, God’s love and mercy are without limits. He isn’t angry that the lost sheep made the mistake of wandering away in the first place. No, his only desire is to find that lost one and carry it on his shoulders back to the rest of the flock. So on this great feast, gaze on the image of the Sacred Heart and thank the Good Shepherd with all your heart for what he has done for you.

“Jesus, Good Shepherd, I praise and thank you for your never-ending love and mercy!”

Ezekiel 34:11-16
Psalm 23:1-6
Romans 5:5-11
Luke 15:3-7