Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Intention: That God will continue to bless us the Lasallian Family with opportunities to serve all persons, especially those most in need, in the spirit of humility, compassion and joy.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 15:3-7
Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes: “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 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.”
From the Sixteenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint 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.
This will happen to those who have carried out the role of Guardian Angels for the children whom Providence has entrusted to them and who have had ardent zeal in their work, practiced this zeal continually, and saved a great number of these children.
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.