Jun 7 2024 Reflection

Friday 7 June 2024

First Reading: Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Responsorial Psalm:
You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6
Second Reading: Eph 3:8-12, 14-19
Gospel Reading: Jn 19:31-37

Today’s Note: Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Gospel Reading:

Since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, 
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken 
and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first 
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, 
they did not break his legs, 
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, 
and immediately blood and water flowed out.
An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; 
he knows that he is speaking the truth, 
so that you also may come to believe.
For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled:
Not a bone of it will be broken.
And again another passage says:
They will look upon him whom they have pierced.

Reflection:

Do you know the heart of Jesus – a heart that was pierced for your sake and mine? Of all the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ death, John mentions that the soldiers pierced his heart with a lance. This was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 12:10: “when they look on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him.” The heart of Jesus was pierced for our sake. He willingly went to the cross and laid down his life as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

Look upon the heart that was pierced for your sake and salvation
If we want to understand the depth and breadth of God’s love for each of us, then look upon the heart that was pierced for you and for me. That is the reason Jesus went to the cross, to redeem us from slavery to sin and death. 

True love does not count the cost, but gives everything for the beloved. God proved his love for us by sending us his beloved Son who withheld nothing from us but gave everything he had for our sake. Paul the Apostle tells us that “Jesus loved us and gave himself up for us – a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). God’s love is perfect and complete because God is merciful, just, and forgiving. 

The cross shows us the love of Christ broken and pierced for our sake
Do you know the love and mercy of Christ for you? Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said that “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us to love.” In the cross of Christ we see the love of God broken and pierced for our sake. The Lord Jesus who died for our sake now reigns triumphant at the right hand of the Father. He has risen in glory and he now intercedes for us in heaven. He stands before the throne of heaven with his marks of victory – his pierced side, hands, and feet. 

Who can fathom the love of God? For all eternity we will gaze upon him who was crucified and who rose – never to die again – for our sake. Only a broken and contrite heart can fathom the mercy of God revealed in Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus calls us to lay down our lives in sacrificial love for one another. Do you love as Jesus loves, with a broken heart that yearns for all to know the love and mercy of God? 

Lord Jesus, your love knows no bounds. Break my heart with the things that break your heart that I may love generously as you love.