Sacred Heart of Jesus: The fount of Sacrificial Love

Reflection on Today's Readings and Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday 19th, June, 2020
Texts: Deut. 7:6-11; Ps. 103:1-4,6-8,10; 1John 4:7-16; Mtt. 11:25-30
The solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us of God's expression of human love and as such provides for us standard to follow. God's expression of human love is that of sacrificial love; God loves us without counting the cost. Sacrificial love is all about give and give. True love is always sacrificial and that is why whoever loves always gives. Sacrificial love bestows gifts. Hence, today's second reading says, "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him". God loves us not for his own gain but for our own good, and so, St. John adds: "that we might live through him". St. Paul, writing to the people of Ephesus, says, "Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy" (5:25b). He loved and sacrificed himself for our holiness.
Sacrificial love is creative and faithful. It is creative because it makes us holy. Hence, Moses said to the people of God thus: "You are holy to the Lord". God's love is faithful because it does not fail; it fulfills its promises. Moses affirmed the faithfulness of God's love when gave the reason for God's choice of the people: The Lord has chosen you to be a people for his own possession ..... it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath which he swore to your fathers". He adds thus: "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps his covenant and merciful love with those who love him and keep his commandments".
This love of God is revealed to those who have childlike trust in God. Hence, Jesus Christ says, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to infants; yes, for such was your gracious will". Having childlike trust is placing one's hope in God.
The invitation of Jesus Christ to come and seek rest in him entails taking his yoke upon us and learning from him, his gentle and lowly qualities. He says, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls". His yoke that we have to put on is love. The second reading puts it thus: "Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love". To know God and find rest for our souls, we must love God and one another, for in God is our peace.

Lord Jesus, may your love abide that we may show forth your sacrificial love in our lives. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke