The Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus | Friday 24 June 2022

Today is Friday the 24th June, the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Amanda Lindsay Cook sings, ‘Shepherd’. As we celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus today, let the music and lyrics help you enter into the joyful presence of God, our good shepherd.

In the process, in the waiting
You’re making melodies over me
And Your presence is the promise
For I am a pilgrim on a journey
You will lift my head above the mighty waves
You are able to keep me from stumbling
And in my weakness
You are the strength that comes from within
Good Shepherd of my soul
Take my hand and lead me on
You make my footsteps and my path secure
So walking on water is just the beginning
Cause my faith to arise, stand at attention
For You are calling me to greater things
Oh how I love You, how I love You
You have not forsaken me
Oh how I love You, how I love You
With You is where I want to be

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Ezekiel.

Ezek 34:11-16

For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.

On the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we show our devotion to the two greatest sentiments that Jesus possessed: love for his Father and love for each one of us. In today’s reading Ezekiel reminds us that God goes to enormous lengths to keep each one of us safe. As you hear these words today, ponder that image of a rich pasture on the mountains. Let God guide you there so that you may rest.

As you rest there with the Lord on that rich pasture in the mountains, what are the sentiments which arise in your heart?

Listen again to the reading, trusting that God has led you to the right place. Who are the people around you with whom you could share this moment of peace? What might you do to be the shepherd who guides them there?

Now, as we draw to a close, you might like to think of one word you want to say to the Lord that captures your sense of mission. Enter into conversation with him about how he is asking you to respond.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.