this week's feasts
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Tuesday, June 24, is the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist.
In the Gospel of Luke, the Infancy Narratives begin with the annunciation of St. John the Baptist. John’s annunciation precedes the annunciation of Jesus’ birth, and therefore the Nativity of John the Baptist precedes that of Jesus. All of John’s life was a preparation for Jesus. His ministry prepares the way for Jesus’ ministry, and John’s martyrdom prepares the way for Jesus’ Crucifixion.
The Nativity (birth) of John the Baptist is the beginning of the saving events of the New Testament.
In the Gospel of Luke, the Infancy Narratives begin with the annunciation of St. John the Baptist. John’s annunciation precedes the annunciation of Jesus’ birth, and therefore the Nativity of John the Baptist precedes that of Jesus. All of John’s life was a preparation for Jesus. His ministry prepares the way for Jesus’ ministry, and John’s martyrdom prepares the way for Jesus’ Crucifixion.
The Nativity (birth) of John the Baptist is the beginning of the saving events of the New Testament.
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
On the Friday and Saturday after the celebration of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus, the Church celebrates the Feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I am always moved by these celebrations, as I am the only pastor in the history of the Diocese of Covington who has been the pastor of both Sacred Heart Church in Bellevue and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Burlington.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is ancient in the Church. But it was most effectively promoted by Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque. The image of the Sacred Heart shows the Heart of Jesus surrounded by a crown of thorns and pierced by a sword, showing that the heart of Jesus suffers for us. There are flames coming from the heart to show how much He loves us.
The purpose of this devotion is to teach us how much we are each loved by Christ and His willingness to suffer for us, because of His great love.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is ancient in the Church. But it was most effectively promoted by Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque. The image of the Sacred Heart shows the Heart of Jesus surrounded by a crown of thorns and pierced by a sword, showing that the heart of Jesus suffers for us. There are flames coming from the heart to show how much He loves us.
The purpose of this devotion is to teach us how much we are each loved by Christ and His willingness to suffer for us, because of His great love.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary
Whereas the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus draws us into Christ’s great love for us, the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is all about her love for Christ, and our love for Christ. As we reflect upon how passionately and faithfully Christ loves us, reflecting upon the love that Mary had for Christ helps us to love Him as much as she did.
These two images reveal the entire spiritual life. St. Paul wrote that “love consists of this—not that we have loved Christ, but that He has loved us.” By coming to know how loved we are, we fall in love with Christ in return.
Christ loving us, and we loving Christ. That is what Christian spirituality is all about.
These two images reveal the entire spiritual life. St. Paul wrote that “love consists of this—not that we have loved Christ, but that He has loved us.” By coming to know how loved we are, we fall in love with Christ in return.
Christ loving us, and we loving Christ. That is what Christian spirituality is all about.