Today we celebrate the love of God manifested to us through his Son, Jesus Christ. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not per- ish but might have eternal life.” The feast of the Most Sacred Heart is a celebration of love. It is an opportunity to reflect on the great love God has for us and it is an invitation to strengthen our love relationship with him.

Jesus loved us so much, that he chose to be incarnated among us. As a human being he experienced and understood our sufferings and joys. Our Master chose to become a disciple at the feet of the Jewish religious leaders. He humbled himself and endured betrayal by Judas, denial by Peter and torture by the Roman soldiers. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” He proved his love for us and saved us from sin by dying on the Cross.

In today’s Gospel proclamation we read about the events that happened after the crucifixion and death of Jesus. As he was dying on the Cross, he already gifted his mother to us to be our loving mother. After his death, as his side is pierced, the last drops of blood and water flow out in love for us. Some early Church Fathers interpreted and point to this as the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. The water is poured over us at Baptism and we partake of his precious body and blood at the Eucharist. The Church grew from the side of Jesus, this is the fountain of living water. “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.” In facing difficulties in life, how do we quench our thirst? How do we resolve issues? Do we go to the fountain of life, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, or do we resort to the worldly wells that merely answers the superficial? Let us make this day a renewed opportunity to grow deep in our love for Jesus, draw from his love to face various situations in life and continue to reflect and share the great love that God has for us.

Sweet Heart of Jesus, font of love and mercy, today we come, Thy blessing to implore. Oh, touch our hearts, so cold and so ungrateful and make them Lord, Thine own for evermore. Sweet Heart of Jesus we implore, Oh make us love Thee more and more.

Prayer: Abba Father, may we learn to rest and lean on the heart of Jesus from where flowed love, mercy, healing and life. Amen