Ezekiel 34.11-16 | Romans 5.5b-11 | Luke 15.3-7

Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi Sunday. Out of devotion, people pray to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the first Friday of each month. The heart is a symbol of love, of the sentimental bonds that unite people. This solemnity celebrates Jesus' love for humanity, which translates into mercy and compassion.

Jesus said that His disciples should learn from Him, who was meek and humble of heart (cf. Matthew 11:29).

At the crucifixion, to confirm Jesus' death, a Roman soldier pierced His side with a spear, from which flowed blood and water (cf. John 19:34), symbols of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Baptism. Therefore, there is a connection between the solemnities of Corpus Christi and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Eucharist flows from the Heart of Jesus as proof of His love for the Church.

Today the evangelist Luke tells us about the parable of the sheep that was lost and found, highlighting the joy in Heaven over the conversion of one sinner.

Jesus reminded the scribes and Pharisees that they would be capable of leaving ninety-nine sheep in the desert to go after one sheep that had gone astray, gathering friends and neighbors to share the joy of having found such a sheep. And Jesus, projecting this parable into eternity, concluded by saying that the conversion of one sinner generates greater joy in Heaven.

Luke is considered the gospel of mercy. Chapter 15 has three parables about mercy. In addition to today's parable (3-7), there is the parable of the coin that was lost and found (8-10) and the famous parable of the prodigal son - or the merciful father (11-32). The three parables were told by Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees, who grumbled because He ate with sinners (2).

Jesus loved sinners and believed that they could be converted. While the scribes and Pharisees kept their distance, Jesus drew near to sinners and offered them mercy and compassion.

Celebrating the love of the Heart of Jesus, let us approach Him with humility and trust, for Jesus consoles us in our weariness and burdens. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, let us bring forward the joy of heaven by celebrating the conversion of sinners, for God hates sin but loves the sinner. Let us strive to respond to the love we receive from the Heart of Jesus.

Today the prophet Ezekiel speaks to us of God's promise to shepherd His people Israel, who had been scattered among the neighboring nations after the exile in Babylon.

Using the image of the shepherd and the sheep, Ezekiel said that God would bring the scattered Jews back to their land, caring for the sick, providing them with water, food and shelter.

We can see God's love, mercy and compassion for His people, which were manifested concretely in meeting the material needs of the Jews. It was more than a feeling; it was real solidarity.

Great Christian theologians affirm that this divine promise was fulfilled through Jesus, the Good Shepherd sent by God. He is the incarnation of God's love for humanity, suffering without water, food and shelter. Jesus gave Himself to those in need, and continues to give Himself sacramentally through the Church.

Through evangelization and pastoral services, we meet the spiritual and material needs of humanity, so wounded and loved by God.

Today, the apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans of God's love for us when we were still sinners and enemies of Him. By the Blood of Christ we are justified, and by His death we have been reconciled. Therefore, we glory in God through Christ.

On this Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, let us rejoice in receiving the Holy Spirit, which is the love of God poured into our hearts. Let us learn to love sinners and enemies of God with the Heart of Jesus, praying for them, helping them in their needs, in the hope that they will be converted and have life in Christ.

In 1995 (thirty years ago), Pope Saint John Paul II wanted the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to be the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of the Clergy, so that the priesthood would be protected by the Heart of Jesus.

May God bless priests, so that they may be loving and merciful according to the Heart of Jesus.

Local: Praia Grande - SP, Brasil

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