Today is the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the first reading from Ezekiel 34, God uses the imagery of a shepherd. “I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God.” We see this very same imagery in the Gospel reading from Luke 15. Jesus talks about how a shepherd who has a hundred sheep but loses one will leave the ninety-nine behind to seek out the one lost sheep. He says, “I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.”
Inside of Jesus beats the very heart of God. And it is a heart with a very special place for the lost. In fact, it’s a theme in today’s readings. From the first reading: “The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal…”
God has a path set out for every person. It is the path that leads to his will; the path that leads to heaven. Unfortunately, we all stray from that path from time to time. When we do, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is broken. His heart will not rest until we find out way back to the path. If you’re off the path – to any degree – listen for the heart of Jesus. It will always lead you back.
Father, help us to hear more clearly the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that we may always draw closer to it, which is His greatest desire. Amen.
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