I watched a YouTube video wherein a vlogger asked his followers their darkest secrets. I was shocked by what they shared in the vlog. Some were abused and many were suffering from mental health problems. Amidst all that, I was struck by one comment in the video that said, “We have a God who loves, who listens, who restores.” That is also the message of the Gospel today as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In the Gospel, a soldier thrust his lance into Jesus’ side just to be sure that He was already dead. When he did this, water and blood flowed out. In this scene, I could feel God’s tremendous love and mercy for humankind. We have a God who loves, who is willing to suffer and journey with us. We have a God who listens whenever we feel alone and have no one to talk to. We have a God who restores and heals our broken hearts so that we could love and be loved again.

Today’s Gospel challenges us to be instruments of God’s love to other people. We can do this by opening our hearts to be able to listen to other people. By doing this, we will also be able to journey with other people and be able to share in their sufferings.

By: Sem. Renz Marion C. Cunanan

Today’s Gospel

Jn 19:31-37

Since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
and they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs,
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
and immediately blood and water flowed out.
An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true;
he knows that he is speaking the truth,
so that you also may come to believe.
For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled:
Not a bone of it will be broken.
And again another passage says:
They will look upon him whom they have pierced.