SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
You will draw water joyfully
from the springs of salvation.
1st Reading: Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
I loved Israel when he was a child; out of Egypt I called my son.
Yet, it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; yet, little did they realize that it was I who cared for them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with leading strings of love, and I became for them as one who eases the yoke upon their neck and stoops down to feed them.
How can I give you up, Ephraim? Can I abandon you like Admah or make you like Zeboiim? My heart is troubled within me and I am moved with compassion. I will not give vent to my great anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God and not human. I am the Holy One in your midst; and I do not want to come to you in anger.
2nd Reading: Eph 3:8-12, 14-19
Gospel: Jn 19:31-37
As it was Preparation Day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross during the Sabbath, for this Sabbath was a very solemn day. They asked Pilate to have the legs of the condemned men broken, so that the bodies might be taken away.
The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other man, who had been crucified with Jesus. When they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they did not break his legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water.
The one who saw that has testified to it and his testimony is true; he knows he speaks the truth, so that you also might believe. All this happened to fulfill the words of Scripture: Not one of his bones shall be broken. Another text says: They shall look on him whom they have pierced.
Reflections
I am the Holy One
in your midst;
and I do not want
to come to you in anger
The biblical image that most sublimely expresses the mystery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the Crucified Christ, the image of God-incarnate who loves us unto death, death on a cross. This loving heart of God is beautifully described by Hosea. God who has held Israel as an infant to his cheek and has taught her to walk is pained that she has turned away from him. Despite his hurt, he vows not to destroy Israel but, instead, to woo her back with his tender and faithful love. How can we not fall in love with such a God?
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
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