Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Gospel Commentary, by Msgr. João Scognamligio Clá Dias, EP
See also: Heavenly Token of Salvation, and Meditations of a Boy on the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Featured Saints
St. Barnabas the Apostle. A missionary companion of St. Paul and later of St. Mark. According to tradition, he was stoned to death at Salamis, on the Island of Cyprus.
St. John Gonzales de Castrillo, priest (†1479). Religious from the Order of the Hermits of St. Augustine; he negotiated peace among the citizens of Salamanca, Spain, who were divided into warring factions.
St. Aleydis, virgin (†1250). A Cistercian laysister from the Camera Sanctae Mariae Abbey, close to Brussels (Belgium). At age 22 she contracted leprosy, which eventually left her paralyzed and blind. She was known for her mystical gifts, and she offered her sufferings for the souls in Purgatory.
St. Rosa Francisca Maria Dolores, virgin (†1876). She transformed an association of pious women into the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation, in Tortosa, Spain, dedicated to serving the needy and educating children.
St. Paula Frassinetti, virgin (†1882). Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Dorothy in Genoa, Italy.
St. Parisius, priest (†1267). Camoldolese priest who died age 108 in Treviso, Italy. By order of the Prior General, he provided spiritual direction for the nuns of St. Christina Monastery for 77 years.
Blessed Ignatius Maloyan, bishop and martyr (†1915). He was shot to death with other Christians in Mardin, Turkey.
Blessed Stephen Bandelli (†1450). Priest of the Order of Preachers who died in Saluzzo, Italy. He was an outstanding preacher and diligent confessor.
Blessed Maria Schininà, virgin (†1910). Of noble birth, she renounced worldly goods to dedicate herself to the sick, abandoned and the poor. To this end she founded the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ragusa, Italy.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Thus says the LORD: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer. My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again; For I am God and not a man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you.
Responsorial Psalm – Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6. (R.3)
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel! R.
Second Reading – Eph 3:8-12, 14-19
Brothers and sisters: To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the principalities and authorities in the heavens. This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that He may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Gospel – Jn 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.
