Today is the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is also the World Day of Prayer for Priests. From the General Council of the Comboni Missionaries, they sent us a message of solidarity with all humanity in this words: “
In communion with all humanity, this year we are celebrating the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the extraordinary context of the COVID-19 pandemic that is still causing so much that is tragic and sorrowful all over the world. With confidence in God, we address an invitation to the whole Institute ‘allhumanity’= (my words) to contemplate the Heart of Jesus while opening our hearts to the mystery of love so that this mystery may touch us deeply, free from all the forces that keep us imprisoned and isolated and may help us to be faithful to our consecration and our mission”(letter of the Comboni General Council June 2020). Pray for all priests too.
In the first reading, Moses tells the people
: “You are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the people, his treasured possession”. They were chosen, we are chosen, not because of any of our merits, but simply out of his great love. He set His Heart on us, His beloved. Therefore, as an outcome of this, we are called to be faithful to Him and maintain our loyalty by loving Him and loving one another and keeping his commandments in our daily life.
In the second reading, John writes to the Christian community that God is love: that if we love one another, God remains in us;
and in the
Gospel of Matthew, a consoling message. Jesus says: “
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest … I am gentle and humble of Heart … for my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.
With and in Jesus, our belief, our love, whether difficult or easy, our life becomes meaningful and worth living. I conclude with the Psalm response: “
The steadfast love of the Lord is everlasting on those who fear him.