Reflection for Friday  Solemnity of Sacred heartof JESUS 

By

 

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest, Bidar

Today's WORD of GOD 

Luke 15: 3 - 7 

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 

 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 


Today's Reflection 

The Words "Sacred Heart of JESUS" Symbolizes that the "Love of JESUS is Divine." When We Think of "Sacred," We are Reminded that JESUS, GOD Incarnated, is "Divine." & when We Think of the "Heart," We are Reminded of "Love." Therefore, "Sacred Heart" is Associated with "Divine Love," the Love that GOD has for Mankind.


What is Divine Love? 

Is It the Same as Human Love, Or

Is It the Same as Spiritual Love that We Have for Our Spiritual Brothers & Sisters in CHRIST? Or is It Different?


Today's Readings Explain the Meaning of Divine Love. 

1st Reading, We Hear the LORD GOD Say, "I Myself will Search for My Sheep... as Shepherds Seek Out Their Flocks... Among Scattered Sheep... I will Rescue Them from All Places..." Through These Sacred Words, We Heard of the LORD GOD'S Personal Commitment to Bring HIS Salvation to Mankind & to Establish HIS Spiritual Kingdom.


Today's 2nd Reading can be Summarized as Following:

1) God's Love has been Poured into Our Hearts through the HOLY SPIRIT that has been Given to Us.

2) CHRIST Died for the Ungodly. HE Died for Us who are Ungodly Sinners, Always Resisting what is Holy & Praiseworthy for the Glory of GOD.

3) Having been Justified by the Blood of CHRIST, We will Obtain Our Salvation, Our Adoption as Children of GOD & Eternal Life in the Kingdom of GOD. 

To be Justified Means,

'The Grace of the HOLY SPIRIT has the Power to Justify Us, that is, to Cleanse Us from Our Sins & to Communicate to Us 'the Righteousness of GOD through Faith in JESUS CHRIST' & through 'Baptism.' (C.C.C. # 1987)

5) Having Been Reconciled to GOD through the Death of JESUS, much more surely will We be Saved by HIS Life because We were Reconciled. 

Today's Gospel Reading, We Hear of the Divine Love of the Good Shepherd. 

The Difference between the Reading from the Gospel of Luke & 

Today's 1st Reading is that in the Gospel, Emphasis is Placed on the Love of GOD for Each & Everyone of Us.

The Divine Love of the Good Shepherd is Focused Towards Those who are Spiritually Dying. In HIS Infinite Love, GOD Does Not Want One Soul to be Lost. In HIS Own Words, GOD Said, "For I Have No Pleasure in the Death of Anyone." [Ezek. 18: 32] 

"GOD is Love." [1 Jn. 4: 8] 

The Characteristics of HIS Love are Manifested through the Endless Titles that HE Possesses.

Through the Sacred Heart of JESUS, We Perceive that the Love of JESUS is Divine Love. 

Happy Feast of Sacred Heart of JESUS

GOD Bless U.

Have a blessed day