[1]You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!
The Sacred Heart of Jesus that began beating in the womb of the Blessed Virgin still beats today, and it will pulsate forever, pumping out the grace, mercy, and the life of God to all of humanity. In the Heart of the Lord, we experience the overwhelming mercy of God and His infinite desire to be in relationship with us.
Hosea’s oracle details all the ways God has displayed love for Israel over time. Love caused God to call Israel out of harm’s way in Egypt. Now in safe surroundings, Israel takes its first steps as God watches attentively. Readers can readily picture a child’s struggle to stay upright as they learn to use their legs for walking. In much the same way, Israel struggled to walk with God as they made their way to the promised land. Whenever they faltered, God was right there to embrace them and encourage them.[2]
Yet, over the centuries, many Christians developed harsh images of God and Jesus as fearsome judges, distant from human affairs, ready to impose punishment for moral failure.
The apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary in 1673 helped manifest a theological correction and spiritual balance regarding these perceptions of the Christ. Jesus revealed, to the saint, His heart, burning with love for humanity. Pierced and crucified — offering salvation and mercy — Jesus’ heart longs for us to offer our love and devotion in return.[3]
However, it seems these images of a harsh and punishing God, for moral failure, still exists today. Perpetuated by Christians who judge, condemn, and exclude the sinner. Perpetuated by Church leaders who’ve encouraged the weaponizing of Sacraments as a means of public punishment of the sinner.
The world is watching our behaviors and finding it hard to comprehend or reconcile all our words of love and mercy. God is inviting all to His Eucharistic table. There is no sin greater than God’s love and mercy. God wants to engage those who are unsteady on their walk with Him. Jesus told Sr. Faustina, “Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me. The flames of mercy are burning Me—clamoring to be spent; I want to pour them out upon these souls.”[4](50) The greater the sinner the greater right they have to God’s mercy. St. John reminds us, God is love, He is the One who empties Himself out for others, who desires our eternal salvation, who seeks out the lost and guides and even carries the wandering sheep home. Every word, action, gesture, and attitude of Jesus manifests a perfect, pure, selfless, and burning heart of love for each human person.
[1] Scripture (NABRE), 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Mark 5:13-16
[2] Weekday HomilyHelps. Exegesis by Rev. Timothy P
Schehr.
[3] SimplyCatholic.com. “Understanding the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and What it
Means by Bishop Donald J. Hying.
[4] Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul. © 1987
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