Gospel: June 27, 2025
June 27, 2025 (Friday)
Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
1st Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16
2nd Reading: Romans 5:5b-11
Because the Holy Spirit has been given to us, pouring into our hearts the love of God. Consider, moreover, the time that Christ died for us: when we were still helpless and unable to do anything. Few would accept to die for an upright person; although, for a very good person, perhaps someone would dare to die.
But see how God manifested his love for us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us; and we have become just, through his blood. With much more reason now he will save us from any condemnation. Once enemies, we have been reconciled with God through the death of his Son; with much more reason, now we may be saved, through his life. Not only that, but we even boast in God because of Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom we have been reconciled.
Gospel: Luke 15:3-7
So Jesus told them this parable: “Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not leave the 99 in the wilderness, and seek the lost one till he finds it? And finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders?
Then he will call his friends and neighbors together, and say, ‘Celebrate with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner, than over 99 decent people, who do not need to repent.
Reflection:
“Jesus, make our heart like yours!”
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux reflects on the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep to search for the one that is lost. Does the shepherd not care about the 99? No, concludes Saint Bernard. Rather, he has left them in a safe place, in lush pastures, and so he pursues the lost sheep “without hesitation.”
Indeed, this is what the prophet Ezekiel says of God’s care: “I, myself, will care for my sheep … They will rest where the grazing is good, and feed in lush pastures.” Therefore, the Good Shepherd never neglects any of his sheep, for his heart is filled with love for each one. As today we celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we reflect upon the boundless love of God whose merciful heart was pierced and poured out on the cross for the redemption of all people.
The mystical experiences of Christ’s Sacred Heart stretch back through the history of the Church. Long before Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque had a vision of Christ’s Sacred Heart as a burning furnace of love, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux taught that the doorway to a deep union with Christ was his pierced heart. O Jesus, make our hearts like yours!
