Today’s celebration awakens us to how deeply God loves us. Imagine being among the Israelites and hearing “that the Lord set his heart on you.” Indeed, they have been chosen to enter into a special relationship as a people sacred to God. Remembering the promise made to their ancestors, God has brought them out of bondage into freedom in a land of their own. Why? Because God loved them (Deut 7:7-8). The Collect reminds us that it is truly a wonder of love to recall generation after generation!
Imagine being in the crowd, hearing Jesus give praise to God for bringing the lowly into knowledge of God. Imagine Jesus looking around at each person one by one, making clear his words are intended for them. Then he looks in your eyes as he says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:25, 28). Who could forget such everlasting kindness and compassion? (Ps 103).
And what about us? While we know these words of Scripture extend far and wide to include us, at times we may find ourselves wishing we could have been in the biblical crowds to hear these words of love directly with our own ears. We need not worry. We, too, experience God firsthand when we love one another, for all love is of God. Love transforms us as we rest in the very being of God (1 John 4:7, 12-13).
This Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus invites us to remember and to rejoice in the depths of Christ’s love for us. How have you experienced God’s love in your life? What blessings flow from Christ’s Heart to yours? And from your heart to those around you?
Kimberly Baker
Kimberly Baker, PhD, is associate professor of patristics at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and co-founder of Women of the Church, a Catholic leadership forum.
Kimberly Baker, from the June 2026 issue of Give Us This Day giveusthisday.org (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2026). Used with permission.