Sacred Heart of Jesus
Retreat for the
Retired Sisters of St. Joseph
June 7, 2013
A POOR BUSINESSMAN +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Most shepherds would not leave 99 sheep at risk
to search for a lost one
Ø
Sensible shepherd writes off as a debit & B content
w/ 99 to provide wool & mutton 4 his family
Ø
Jesus is not a very good businessman; he follows
his heart, not his head
Ø
His love is so great that he casts prudence
aside and goes out searching
Ø
“Indeed,” says
St. Paul, “only with difficulty does one
die for a just person…. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
From head to heart +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Today we honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus and
give thanks for his extravagant love
Ø
He clearly moves from considerations of the head
to considerations of the heart
Ø
The devotion to the Sacred Heart became popular
during the 17th century, when a form of Catholic Puritanism called
Jansenism was prevalent
Ø
The Jansenist God was very stern w/ no regard
for sinful humanity
Ø
A human Jesus, w/ very human heart full of love,
human & divine, offered powerful antidote 4 this twisted, angry G
A HEART AND MORE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
God does not will the death of the sinner, but
that she or he be converted and live
Ø
Jesus the good shepherd, died to save us, nor
has he abandoned us
Ø
He has left us (1) Sac of Rec which we
celebrated yesterday & in which we celebrate his love & receive his
pardon & peace
Ø
Given us Euch, which celebrated every morning,
to feed us and strengthen us against the forces of evil
Ø
He has given us his Divine Presence to which we
are disposing ourselves in our evening sessions
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
By uniting selves 2 heart of J we take 2 selves
his love 4 R sisters so we offer prayers & sacrifices for their welfare
Ø
We love with the same extravagant, forgiving
love with which we have been loved
Ø
This requires a conversion deep in our own heart
Ø
Ant that is why we pray: “Jesus, gentle and humble of
heart, make our hearts like unto thine”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
