June 19, 2009 Gospel

DAILY GOSPEL
«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68


Friday, 19 June 2009
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - Solemnity

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, solemnity
Today the Church celebrates : St. Juliana Falconieri, (1270-1340), St. Romuald


Book of Hosea 11:1.3-4.8-9.

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. How could I give you up, O Ephraim, or deliver you up, O Israel? How could I treat you as Admah, or make you like Zeboiim? 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 man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you.

Is 12:2-3.4.5-6.

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,
and say on that day: Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name.
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!


Letter to the Ephesians 3:8-12.14-19.

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 that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 19:31-37.

Now 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."


Commentary of the day :


"Immediately blood and water flowed out"


Let us draw near to the heart of our most sweet Lord Jesus and we shall be glad and rejoice in it. How good and how sweet it is to dwell in this heart! This is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price that we discover, O Jesus, when we dig in the field of your body (cf. Mt 13,44f.). Who, then, would cast aside this pearl? Far from it! For it I will give away all my goods and offer in exchange all my concerns and affections. I will lay down all my cares in the heart of Jesus: it is he who will suffice for me and who will, without fail, supply all I need to live on.

It is within this temple, this Holy of holies, this ark of the covenant, that I shall come to offer worship and praise to the Lord's name. «I have found a heart with which to pray to my God» said David (1Ch 17,25 Vg.). And I too have found the heart of my Lord and King, my brother and friend. Shall I not pray to him, then? Indeed I shall pray for, I dare to say it: his heart is all mine...

O Jesus, deign to receive and answer my prayer. Draw me wholly into your heart. Though the deformity of my sins prevents me from entering in yet you can receive and purify me from my impurities since, through an incomprehensible love, this heart has expanded and opened wide. O most pure Jesus, wash me from my iniquities so that, purified by you, I may dwell in your heart all the days of my life to see and do your will. If your side has been pierced, then it is so that our entrance there should be opened. If your heart has been wounded, then it is so that, sheltered from outward distress, we can make our home within it. And, too, it is so that in this visible wound we might see the invisible wound of love.