I Place All My Trust in Thee

    

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

08 June 2024

 

First Reading: Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9

Responsorial Psalm: Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

Second Reading: Eph 3:8-12, 14-19

Gospel: Jn 19:31-37

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

Towards the end of her talk to fellow members of the Apostleship of Prayer, my grandmother Pilar encouraged them to say "Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee" thirty-three times. (Thirty-three in honor of the years our Lord spent on earth.) Before this talk, I heard her speak about a heart condition she had and how the Sacred Heart of Jesus miraculously cured her. I have seen some of my grandmother's difficulties; not a word of complaint passed through her lips. She always trusted in the Lord.

Throughout salvation history, God comes across as someone who loves, regardless if His love is valued or taken for granted. Unlike us who would easily ignore those in need or give in to anger, God's heart is overwhelmed. His pity is stirred. He will not give vent to His blazing anger" (cf. Hos 11:8-9). So loving is God that He humbled Himself and became obedient to death on the cross (Phil 2:8). The blood and water flowing from His pierced side (Jn 19:34), according to St. John Paul II, represents "the outpouring of grace flowing from the (Lord's) sacrifice". This outpouring grace can be seen in the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist (Pope Benedict XVI) and the Holy Spirit "who remits sins and regenerates to new life" (Pope Francis). Such is God's love to us, as represented by the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A love that will never fail us. As today's Psalm goes: "God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid" (Is 12:2).

Prayer

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, thank You for Your love that knows no bounds. We offer You our often scared and scarred hearts. Heal us, Lord, by the blood and water that flowed from Your wounded Heart. Inflame our cold or lukewarm hearts by the unquenchable fire that consumes Your Heart's desires: "the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians".

Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place our trust in Thee (33 times). Amen.