What a grace and a blessing!  Today, we celebrate the memorial of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In a world where we have holidays to honor every occasion, today we are afforded time to reflect on Jesus’ most Sacred Heart. We have a moment to pause, to take the focus off whatever our present pressing need may be, and gaze into the fire of Jesus’ love. The readings are so beautifully fragrant with a loving shepherd who provides, protects, and searches for each of us, EVEN in the threat of danger: “Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil.”

While gazing upon Our Lord’s loving heart, I hear his words in the last line of the Gospel: “I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance."  Our Lord is calling us back into communion.  He calls each of us back to Himself.  To put down everything, even our “right-ness” and to give it all to Him.  He is asking for Metanoia.  Metanoia is a change in one’s way of life resulting from penitence or spiritual conversion.  Metanoia results in the echoing of Galatians 2:20, “yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.”      

Today, begin with this simple prayer from Psalm 51:12 “A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.”  Trust in the Lord to shepherd your heart.

For more on Metanoia:  https://wildgoose.tv/programs/collection-dyy7fbd6cie?categoryId=23145&permalink=1-who-do-you-say-that-i-am