Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Hosea 11:1,3-4,8-9; Isaiah 12; Ep 3:8-12,14-19; John 19:31-37

Sweating

True love sometimes forces you to make an effort

The French poet, diplomat and zealous Catholic, Paul Claudel, called the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus a feast of the hearts of the pierced, the feelings of the rejected, the desires of the unquenched. The heart is a symbol of love. Speared and opened after the death of Jesus is proof of the love which God has for us. A love unending and faithful to the end. This why so many of us are so close to celebration of the heart of Jesus. Who does not yearn for true love, does not desire to be close to God, who does not experience the pain of wounds inflicted by life.

God, grant me a pure heart – so that I may look upon You with a humble heart – so that I may hear You with a loving heart – that I may serve You with a faithful heart – so that I may dwell with You (Dag Hammarskjöld).