It is 8th June 2018. We celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The readings are from Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8-9; the second reading is from Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19; and the Gospel from John 19:31-37. Does God have a heart? The crucified Christ, the only Incarnate Son of God Jesus is the image and manifestation God’s loving Heart. The Catechism teaches us in No.766 “The Church is born primarily of Christ’s total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross. “The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus.” In the first reading the prophet Hosea so painfully brings out our ungratefulness and sinful retaliation to such a loving God. It is through our indifference and stubbornness that we display in acknowledging the goodness and love God that hurts God most. It is God who loved us first, taught us to walk, dandled us on His ever-loving arms and embraced us with the band of love and stooped down to feed us yet we fail to acknowledge the healing presence of God in our lives. God is not angry on us for our irresponsible response yet God feels wounded by our sinful, ungrateful and selfish actions. God loves us beyond all measures and human perceptions. “For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you.” (Hos.11:9). The responsorial Psalm praises, “You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.” (Is.12:3). In the second reading, St. Paul teaches us that we have the confident and clear access to God’s abode through the sacrifice of Jesus our Lord. “This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.” (Eph.3:12). How can we not reciprocate the love of God and remain stubborn? What is in us that makes us to go on hurt the Heart of Jesus? The Gospel confirms that Jesus truly died for us out of love for all of us that we might be saved by Him. Until our hearts and lives surrendered in the open Heart of Jesus through our faith and love, we will continue to live in sin. “But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.” (Jn. 19:34). How long are we going to wound the heart of Jesus and ignoring the springs of salvation in the Sacraments of the Church? May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us and forgive our sins. Wishing you all a happy feast the Lord. God bless you.