Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
This Week’s Intention: In thanksgiving for all Lasallian educators, whose faith and zeal for their ministry continues to make their schools places of salvation for all, especially those most in need.
Today’s Gospel | John 19:31-37
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.
From the Sixteenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | St. John Baptist de La Salle
The holy King David says that he will be filled with gladness when God will grant him the grace to see him and to enjoy the glory of heaven. For the sight of God fills all the powers of a person’s soul in such a way that all consciousness of self is lost, so to speak. The person is entirely present within the divinity and totally penetrated with God. This is the happiness that will be possessed in heaven by those who have procured the salvation of souls, who have done this in a way that has been useful to the good of the Church, who have by their care restored the robe of innocence to a great number of their disciples, who might have lost it through sin, and who have helped preserve the innocence of many others who have never lost it.
Prayer
Eternal Father, Jesus is the good shepherd who takes all good care to never lose even one heart that belongs to you. There is no greater joy than to be one who is entrusted with gathering and watching over your children, who has the privilege of tending pastures where they will find nourishment and wholeness in you. We pray that, with your grace, all who seek to be the guides and guardians of youth will have the zeal and love of the Good Shepherd, always serving them in their needs and leading them safely home to you. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts forever.