Mass Readings: Ezek 34:11-16   Ps 23   Rom 5:5b-11   Lk 15:3-7  

Key Verse to Meditate: What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? (Lk 15:4).

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Heart of Christ stands as the perfect symbol of divine love. This solemnity reveals to us the immeasurable love of God for humanity. It is a heart that welcomed sinners, healed the sick, and embraced the poor. The Heart of Christ did not condemn but invited all to come to Him.

This is precisely what St. John reveals in his Gospel: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn 3:16–17).

Continuing this message in his first letter, St. John affirms that God’s love for us was made manifest in the person of Christ: “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 Jn 4:9–10).

First Reading

The first reading is taken from the Prophet Ezekiel—often called the prophet of the Holy Spirit—whose name means “God strengthens” (Ez 1:3; 24:24). Ezekiel was active during the exilic period (593–570 BCE), a time marked by deep crisis, especially during the reign of King Jehoiachin (2 Kgs 24:14). His ministry is framed by the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem in 587 BCE, a turning point in Israel’s history. Ezekiel's influence would also extend into the post-exilic prophetic tradition.

In today’s reading (Ezekiel 34), we encounter the rich biblical imagery of God as the shepherd—a theme that directly parallels Jesus' teaching in John 10, where He declares Himself the Good Shepherd. Ezekiel is repeatedly addressed as “son of man” (a title used 93 times), emphasizing his human weakness before the divine majesty of Yahweh.

Chapter 34 of Ezekiel is often titled “The Parable of the Shepherds.” It has two major parts:

1. Judgment on the Bad Shepherds (34:1–10)
2. In the Ancient Near East, kings often referred to themselves as shepherds. This metaphor was also common in Israel. Jeremiah, for instance (Jer 2:8; 10:21; 23:1–3), used this image to condemn the corrupt leaders of Israel and to prophesy that Yahweh would raise up new shepherds after His own heart (Jer 3:15). There is a long and rich biblical tradition portraying God as the Good Shepherd (cf. Ps 23; Is 40:11; Jer 31:10; Jn 10:1–18; Zech 11:4–17).
3. God as the True Shepherd (34:11–31)
4. Today’s reading comes from this second section (vv. 11–16), where God promises to shepherd His people Himself, seeking out the lost, binding up the injured, and strengthening the weak. In verses 17–24, God is further portrayed as the just judge and protector of the vulnerable. The chapter concludes with the promise of a “covenant of peace and prosperity” (vv. 25–31), the fruit of God's faithful shepherding.

The Gospel Reading

Today's Gospel text (Lk 15:3–7) and the following passage from Luke chapter fifteen deal with numbers—one hundred sheep and ten silver coins. We might wonder: what is the significance of the number one hundred sheep, and why ten silver coins?"

Consider this: in the number one hundred, if one is missing, it does not feel like ninety-nine—it feels like a double zero. Likewise, if one of the ten silver coins is lost, it’s not just nine; it feels like a single zero. This may be my mathematics, but I believe it is also God’s logic. In God’s eyes, the one is important. The one lost sheep is still valuable to the shepherd, and the one lost coin is still precious to the poor widow.

This means that no one is dispensable to God—whether righteous or sinful. Without the lost sheep or the lost coin, the ninety-nine and the nine lose their meaning. The community is incomplete without the one who is missing. Paradoxically, it is the lost who make the community whole again. It is not just the righteous, but also the sinners, who bring completeness to the people of God.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus twice tells us that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous who need no repentance (Lk 15:7,10). The Gospel passage presents the first two of three parables found in Luke 15 under the theme “Lost and Found”—the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. The parable of the prodigal son, which continues this theme, is not included in today’s reading but is part of the same chapter.

Scripture scholars rightly say that Luke 15 is the heart of the Gospel, for it reveals the heart of God. What stands out is the repeated theme: “lost and found.” It is God who seeks the lost. It is God who finds. It is God who rejoices. And it is God who invites the community to rejoice with Him.

God Seeks the Lost

Today's Gospel reminds us that it is God who seeks, finds, and rejoices. For the Jewish leaders of Jesus' time, sinners were to be kept at a distance. But Jesus breaks down that barrier and closes the gap between God and humanity. His parables make it clear: the sinner is not to be neglected or despised, but loved and approached.

The Gospel begins by stating that tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus, while the religious leaders complained, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Lk 15:1–2). The Pharisees and scribes distanced themselves not only from sinners but also from Jesus because of His association with them. Man excludes, but God includes. Man separates, but God draws near and restores.

The Love and Forgiveness of God for Sinners

Luke chapter 15 contains three deeply moving parables:

• The Lost Sheep (vv. 3–7)
• The Lost Coin (vv. 8–10)
• The Prodigal Son (vv. 11–32)

Each of these stories reveals the boundless love and mercy of God for sinners. They begin with the Pharisees and scribes murmuring about Jesus welcoming tax collectors and sinners. In the Judaic society of the time, these people were branded as outcasts—something we should never do today.

Because of their rigid observance of the law, the Pharisees and scribes saw themselves as morally superior and viewed others as sinners. But who gave them that authority? In truth, they too were sinners. Jesus, without contesting their labels, presents His messianic mission: “The Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost” (Lk 19:10; Mt 18:11). He is a different kind of Rabbi—one who welcomes the sinner, the lowly, and the outcast. For Him, a person is more important than any ritual impurity associated with contact with sinners.

The Particular Love of God for Every Person

In response to the self-righteous attitudes of the religious leaders, Jesus reveals the particular love of God for each individual, especially the so-called sinners. While the sinners draw near to listen, the religious leaders remain distant, judging Jesus and those who come to Him.

To God, every person is important—like the one lost sheep or the one lost coin. God does not rest until the one is found. That’s the depth of His mercy.

The Significance of "Hundred and Ten"

In both parables, there is no cessation in the search until the lost is recovered. In the parable of the sheep, it may be that the sheep wandered off on its own—but the shepherd still goes in search (Ps 119:176). In the parable of the coin, it is the woman who misplaces it, and she bears the responsibility of finding it.

Notice the shift: from man to woman, and from sheep to coin. But the conclusion of both stories is the same—joy upon recovering what was lost. God is truly delighted when a sinner repents.

The shepherd rejoices to count his flock again as a full hundred. The woman rejoices at having all ten coins again—perhaps even sparing herself the embarrassment of explaining the loss to her husband, as one coin may have equaled a day’s wage.

These numbers—hundred and ten—represent fullness. And this joy is not private. The entire community is invited to celebrate. The community does not rejoice in the loss of its members but celebrates their return and repentance.

Points for Personal Reflection

This feast, in simple terms, reveals the profound humanity of Christ. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who had a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart, received multiple apparitions of Jesus between 1673 and 1675. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Paray-le-Monial in France was built in honor of these visions. St. Margaret Mary lived and died at the monastery adjacent to this basilica.

Three streams gush forth from the Divine Heart of Jesus: mercy toward the sinner, charity toward the needy, and love and light for the righteous. Jesus’ heart is the supreme symbol of God’s mercy—a living symbol that represents the very center and source from which salvation flows for all humanity.

Blood and Water from the Side of Jesus

In the Gospel of John, we read that when a soldier pierced Jesus’ side, blood and water flowed out:

“One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.” (Jn 19:34–35)

St. John also writes in his first letter that by giving us His Sacred Heart full of love, Jesus has given us His Spirit:

“By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” (1 Jn 4:13)

And again, in today's second reading, we hear the great truth:

“God is love. Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 Jn 4:7–8, 16)

The Heart: A Symbol of Love

The feast of the Sacred Heart reminds each of us of the human side of God. God took on a human heart. Jesus said: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Mt 5:8)

The heart of Jesus experienced pain, anger, compassion, and suffering. That is why we call it the Sacred Heart. When we say someone has a wicked or stony heart, we mean they act in ways contrary to love. But Jesus invites us into the gentleness of His own heart. In today’s Gospel, He says: “Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:28–30)

Only Jesus has promised true rest for the weary human heart. And He makes this promise as God. That’s why St. Augustine could confess: “You have made us for Yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

Only the Heart of Christ can free my heart from the burdens of sin and guilt. Jesus has perfect knowledge of the Father and alone can lead us to the loving heart of God.

The Yoke of Christ

Jesus says, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” The yoke He offers is one of grace and freedom from sin. As disciples of the Lord, we are called to take up this sweet yoke and experience true freedom and joy. But what do we understand by the “yoke of Christ”? Am I willing to take it upon myself—this yoke that is light and filled with grace?

Only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and hopelessness from my life. Do I submit myself to His guidance and grace?

Personal Questions for Reflection

• Do I judge others?
• When I judge, do I follow the mercy and kindness of God?
• Do I actively seek and restore what has been lost in my family, in my personal life, and in society?
• Do I realize that no amount of faults or failures on my part can stop God’s loving search for me?

This solemnity reminds us that in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we encounter the very heart of God—a heart full of compassion, mercy, and sacrificial love. May our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus inspire us to live in love, seek out the lost, and build communities rooted in God’s justice and peace.

In conclusion, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a heart that seeks, forgives, restores, and rejoices. It is a heart that values each individual, especially the lost. Let us, too, adopt this heart—welcoming, forgiving, and rejoicing in the return of our brothers and sisters to the fold of God. It is the love of Christ that finds us and restores us. It is Christ the Lord who seeks out the lost.