Fraide, June 7, 2024
Solemnity of di Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Friday wey follow di second Sunday after Pentecost
Listen for English
But when dem reach Jesus and see say He don already die, dem no break His legs. Instead, one soldier take im spear pierce Jesus for side, and blood and water flow comot immediately. John 19:33–34
John Gospel full with images and symbols wey get deep spiritual meaning. E clear say na God inspire these images and symbols, so dem go give us spiritual food to reflect and meditate on. Today, as we dey celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we receive one of these images.
As Jesus and the two criminals wey dey for His two sides hang for their crosses, the soldiers come break their legs so dem go quick lose breath and die. But when dem reach Jesus, He don already die. So one of the soldiers, wey tradition know as Longinus, take im spear pierce Jesus for side, and blood and water flow comot. Some traditions talk say Longinus na the centurion wey cry out after Jesus die, “True-true, this Man na the Son of God!” (See Matthew 27:54.) Other traditions talk say na that moment e turn to Christ, and this one make am the first person wey convert to Christianity. Still, other traditions talk say Longinus no dey see well, and the blood and water from Jesus side pour for im eyes and heal am. Whether these traditions true or not, we know say dem pierce Jesus for side, and blood and water flow comot.
The meaning of this action pass ordinary symbol wey human beings make. Na means through which the deep spiritual reality wey dey happen for that moment take place. As dem pierce Jesus Sacred Heart, the blood and water wey pour comot na the new sacramental life of the Church. The Blood na the Most Holy Eucharist, and the Water na the gift of Baptism. And when Jesus don earlier “breathe His last” and “hand over His Spirit,” He give the Sacrament of Confirmation.
When we celebrate those Sacraments today, e easy to see dem as just symbols of wetin we dey share in. But for our Christian Tradition, the Sacraments pass that one well-well. The symbol na also the reality itself. Na the means through which wetin e stand for dey happen. So, every time we witness Baptism or receive the Holy Eucharist, we dey there with Longinus in a mystical way. We dey receive the grace and mercy of our redemption wey dey pour comot from Jesus wounded side, to heal us and make us whole.
If we talk about the human body, the heart na organ wey dey pump blood go round the whole body. But if we look am from the spiritual side, since we get both body and soul, the human heart na also the source of our life. Without am, we go die for both body and spirit. Na so e be with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. No be only physical heart wey spear pierce long ago. Now, na also the source wey dey continue to give us spiritual life, and without Jesus Sacred Heart of Mercy, we go die inside our sins.
Today, reflect on the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. See His Heart as the source wey dey continue to give you new life in grace. Understand say His Heart pass symbol of His grace and mercy; na the spiritual source and the place wey that mercy dey flow from. Today, as you dey pray, place yourself before His Cross, and allow the blood and water wey dey flow from His wounded side to cover you, so that you too fit believe.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, You use di blood and water wey dey pour out from di wound for Your side as instrument to pour di love and mercy of Your grace wey dey transform person upon di world. Help me to look steadily at dis fountain of mercy and make e cover me through di gift of di Sacraments. Make I always open my heart to everything wey You wish to give me through these precious instruments of Your love wey dey transform person. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Jesus, na You I trust.
Novena to di Sacred Heart
Dates for di Novena: May 29 – June 6, 2024
June 7, 2024: Solemnity of di Sacred Heart
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Read More – Sacred Heart of Jesus
Di pictures wey we feature above: Flickr
