The heart that beats LOVE!
Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9; Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19; Matthew 5:20-26
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was highly encouraged by mediaeval mystics; and particularly promoted by St Gertrude, St Margaret Mary Alacoque, St John Eudes and many others. This devotion is to Jesus in his human nature, since the heart is seen as the seat of the emotions. Why does it hurt so much when we’re heart broken? It’s because this part of our humanity is capable of the most love. Yes! Love makes us vulnerable, and one who loves most dearly is most likely to feel the most pain when hurt. But this shouldn’t stop us from loving.
Friends, in the book of the Prophet Hosea, we understand first hand, the kind of love that God has for his people. The Lord God chose Israel for his own possession out of love, and for the oath he swore to their fathers. He would never abandon his flock; he would gently guide them, watch over them, and protect them, even when they went astray. This same love chose Paul as an Apostle to the gentiles. Jesus himself expressed this love of God when he died for us on the cross of calvary, while we were still sinners. By that singular action, he showed us that love must be shown even to the least deserving.
Good morning dear. God bless your weekend ahead. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
READINGS TODAY
FIRST READING
“My heart recoils within me.
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Hosea (Hosea 11:1.3-4.8c-9)
Thus says the Lord: When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who raises an infant to his cheeks, and I bent down to them and fed them. My heart recoils within me, my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger, I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come to destroy.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Isaiah 12:2-3.4bcde.5-6 (R. 3)
R/. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation. R/.
“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the nations,
proclaim that his name is exalted.” R/.
R/. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
“Sing praises to the Lord,
for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” R/.
SECOND READING
“To know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3 :8-12.14- 19)
Brethren: To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realised in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Matthew 11:29ab
Alleluia. Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord; and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear and at once there came out blood and water.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 19:31-37)
Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for that sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness — his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth — that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of him shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on him whom they have pierced.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
