A HEART OF TENDERNESS AND LOVE
(A biblical reflection on the Solemnity of THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS, Friday 1 July 2011)
Gospel Reading: Mt 11:25-30
First Reading: Deut 7:6-11; Psalms: Ps 103:1-4,6-8,10, Second Reading: 1Jn 4:7-16
The Scripture Text
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank Thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was Thy gracious will. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Mt 11:25-30 RSV)
Jesus’ sacred heart is a heart of tenderness and love. Not an abstract love, but a love that actively longs for his children. We are His dear ones, and He deeply wants to soften, shape, and move our hearts to be like His. Imagine a child who wakes every day filled with a sense of adventure, eager for what that day holds. Yesterday does not exist anymore. Tomorrow may as well be centuries away. But today is new and filled with potential for great joy, excitement, and freedom. We can live this way by coming to know Jesus’ love and the freedom that comes from touching His sacred heart in prayer.
Jesus’ sacred heart is an inexhaustible fountain of love. The love that flows from His pierced heart can never be worn out, wearied, or used up. The reservoir is always full of tenderness, wisdom, and compassion. Brothers and sisters, do you know Jesus’ sacred heart? Do you know that He was pierced for our transgressions and that in His heart is the promise of freedom from every sin we will ever commit?
Every day, Jesus implores us, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). The rest that He promises is the knowledge that we are redeemed, that we can stand before God washed clean in Jesus’ blood, a new creation with unspeakable hope and dignity. No matter how often we draw on the resources of Jesus’ sacred heart, there is always more available for us. Mercy, forgiveness, and peace – the blessings of being a beloved child resting in His mother’s arms – constantly flow in this fountain.
Jesus loves us just as we are, in all our frailty and sinfulness. His sacred heart is our one sure foundation and our one hope of transformation. We can rest in the knowledge that Jesus is constantly ready to pour divine life into us whenever we come to Him. Surely His pierced heart is a trustworthy source of security and hope for us. As we take up Jesus’ yoke and yield to Him, we will know rest and refreshment beyond belief.
Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your love and the tenderness with which You change my heart. Help me to unite myself to Your sacred heart, so that I might rest in Your will today. Amen.