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Friday, June 22, 2001

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Sacred Heart


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

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a heart for heart-breakers

"The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us." —Romans 5:5

On this feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Lord wants to pour out His love in our hearts. He wants to give us such love that we will lay down our lives (see 1 Jn 3:16) even for those who have sinned against us and are continuing to hurt us by sin (Rm 5:8). This love is clearly supernatural, crucified, mysterious, and divine.

Think of the person you have the most difficulty loving. Usually this person is a family member, perhaps even a spouse. Think of the person whom you immediately tend to judge. Think of the person who represents to you the things most wrong with this world. On this solemn feast day, the Sacred Heart of Jesus wants to do a miracle of love in your life. He is gracing you to love your worst enemy (see Mt 5:44). In this way you become like Jesus, Who died for us who crucified Him through our sins.

"Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours" (see Mt 11:29). Jesus, Whose heart was wounded, bleeding, thorn-crowned, and forgiving, make my heart like Yours.

Prayer:  Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Your crucified love.

Promise:  "I Myself will pasture My sheep; I Myself will give them rest, says the Lord God. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal." —Ez 34:15-16

Praise:  Praise the burning, bleeding, merciful heart of Jesus!

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, January 4, 2001


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 24, 2001