This feast is distinctive for being the only solemnity of the Lord which always occurs on a weekday. The significance of it can be seen in the number of statues of the Sacred Heart which are to be found with many, if not all, Catholic churches in New Zealand having one. Arising from the visions of a nun in 17th Century France, St Margaret Mary Alacoque, this feast serves to remind us of Jesus as the personification and incarnation of the mercy and love of God that he has for us personally. It tilts against the pessimism of the heresy known as Jansenism. This heresy is a form of Catholic puritanism or Calvinism. It is a very negative and pessimistic theology which places undue emphasis on judgement and the salvation of only a few souls. We know from Scripture that God is generous and looks not to condemn but to save: "This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the Knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2: 3-4) As missionary disciples in 2022 we are called to embrace and communicate the joy of the Gospel. Let us use this feast to get in touch with the mercy and love of God which flow from the heart of Jesus Christ: "But God proves his love for us in that while we still sinners Christ died for us." (Rm 5:8)
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