I am grateful for all the prayers you have offered for the success of my right eye operation. For two months, I was blind in that eye, but now I can see even though it is blurry. I am praying too that someday I will see a lot better.
Today we are celebrating the External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which coincides with the US Father’s Day celebration. To all fathers, Happy Father’s Day. May your witness as Catholic Dads give your children a glimpse of our heavenly Father’s kindness and mercy, and may your family turn towards our true Father in heaven, allowing Him to be the center of our lives.
When we think of this Sacred Heart liturgical celebration, we focus on the Heart of Jesus. We remember that He has given His heart to us and remember also that our human heart is the core of our life, the center of our existence. Our heart pumps to every connected vein to sustain our human existence. It is a vital human organ that we need to take good care of and be conscious of having a healthy heart.
Two weeks ago, one of my good friends here in Reno decided to visit his own resort in the Philippines. Several years ago, he received a stint procedure in his heart arteries. On June 10th, he called his wife to tell her that he was experiencing chest pain, and he was told to see the cardiologist immediately. He did not listen but resorted to putting ice in a Ziploc bag and applying it to his chest which he said gave him temporary relief, but never understood the sign his heart was obviously showing. On the morning of June 12th he was found in his room lifeless. Obviously he had a cardiac arrest while asleep. May the soul of +Virgil rest in peace.
In today’s Gospel taken from John 19:31-37, on this feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jesus hangs on the cross and is pierced by the soldier.
Scriptures have been fulfilled before their eyes. It was prophesied that they would look upon Jesus, who died on the Cross, being pierced with both blood and water flowing. Now we have the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus which includes the image of Jesus giving prominence to His Heart. The devotion was promoted by the inspiration of Saint Maria Alacoque. It was criticized for dwelling more on the human Jesus, but it became a popular devotion among Catholics. It was even more popular here in the US and other countries, like the Philippines. I remember when I was growing up my mother would go to the church with a big Sacred Heart scapular she wore every first Friday.
Sacred Heart devotion has been popular because it helps the devotees to focus on the heart of Jesus which many realize that God, through His Son, has a merciful and loving heart. This devotion gives a lot of motivation, inspiration and hope to people. It is a good devotion since it focuses on the heart which is the center and source of life in every person. Knowing that we have a God, whose Son has a merciful and loving heart, He gives a lot of inspiration, motivation and hope to people. That love and mercy makes it Sacred. Love and mercy lead to holiness and salvation.
We understand that Jesus’ heart is without condition and did not stop giving graces while his heart was pierced with a lance and flowing with both blood and water. This symbolizes His immense love for all. May our hearts be also like the Sacred Heart of Jesus imbibing such love and mercy for others.
Today two feasts, Father’s Day and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Feast, are the feasts of Love. It is revealed in God’s love through Jesus and given personally to each one of us through the Holy Spirit.
In our Epistle today, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, Paul calls on us, “to be strengthened by His Spirit with might unto the inward man, that Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts, that being rooted and grounded in charity….the charity of Christ which surpasses all knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fulness of God.” (Ep 3:19)
Brothers and sisters, let us allow ourselves to be built, to be cultivated on this love, a love which St. Paul says, is beyond our understanding.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
