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Gospel: Matthew 11: 25-30
At that time Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, often depicted as a heart surrounded by a crown of thorns and flames, has inspired Catholic devotion for centuries. Before diving into its meaning for us today, however, some historical context may be necessary.
Tradition states that the Lord appeared repeatedly to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a cloistered nun who lived in the 17th century.
At that time, the Church was still reeling from the devastating effects of the Protestant Reformation, as well as the fire of heresy rising from within its own ranks.
There was one religious movement, in particular, known as Jansenism, which spread like a virus throughout the Netherlands and Saint Margaret Mary’s beloved homeland of France.
Oddly, the Jansenists believed that some people were born predestined to damnation, because God had foreknowledge of their sins. Furthermore, they believed that only the morally perfect were worthy of receiving Communion.
As a result, very few Catholics who followed them received Eucharist. But, as Pope Francis reminded us a few years ago, “The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak” (Evangelii Gaudium no. 47).
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It’s in this context that the Lord appeared to Saint Margaret Mary, emphasizing his infinite love and mercy for humanity, symbolized by his heart which remains pierced, longs for our devotion, and burns away our sins.
The Lord also invited her to join him in praying for the conversion of souls, the reparation of sins, and the conversion of every human heart.
Perhaps this is where we come in. Each of us in our own way can share the message of God’s infinite love for humanity, not only by speaking about the Sacred Heart, but also by quoting the promise of Christ in today’s Gospel, which God alone can make.
“Come to me, all of you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.”
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There’s no better way to share that message than to speak from our own experience. On this Feast, may the Lord lighten the burdens we carry, may he forgive us our sins, may he make our hearts ever more like his and grant us his peace.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
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Image credits: (1) Faith Magazine (2) Portrait of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Wikipedia (3) Word on Fire