Pastor's Corner—June 14

We just concluded the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday, and the consecration of our nation to the Sacred Heart on the 250th birthday of the United States. The Sacred Heart is the portrayal of the immense and undying love of God for us, poured out in Christ Jesus. It is a love that has no boundaries, no limits. It is a love given freely and unconditionally to everyone – each and every person on the face of the earth. And the Sacred Heart of Jesus challenges each and every one of us to love God and one another in the very same way. Fr Gregory Boyle, in his book 'Cherished Belonging', tells the story of a woman at one of his talks who posed a question. 'What happens then to the bad guy hanging on the other side of Jesus on the Cross?'

This was Fr Boyle's response: 'I told her that Jesus doesn't think he is a bad guy. Jesus comprehends. "This day. With me. Paradise." It's a promise for both ladrones.

'Sergio emailed me about a pastor who sent out a notice about a film on Jesus that was going to be shown. It said, "Please invite someone who is unsaved." It helps us to remind ourselves that for the first five centuries, Christians believed that we would all be saved. Someone asked me who will be saved? I told him, "Everyone is going to heaven, but God hopes you know that heaven is also here and now. He doesn't say, 'Ya wanna go to heaven, then do this.' He says, 'Do this...heaven.'

'Feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, visit the guy in prison. Heaven. Do this.... It's where the joy is. We can live in the forever now. It helps us say 'never' when asked if anything bad has ever happened to us.' God's love encompasses everyone. Even those who do evil things in this world. Fr Boyle says, 'Nobody vs Anybody is God's dream come true. We work and walk toward that. They asked Abraham Lincoln about his religious beliefs.

He said, 'When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad.

And that's my religion.'

'And certainly, no unhealthy and disordered impulse can ever touch one's goodness or secure one's place in belonging. All cruelty points to the wound in need of healing. We make progress when we walk each other home to wholeness.' Grant we pray Almighty God, that we who glory in the Heart of your beloved Son and recall the wonders of his love for us, may be made worthy to receive an overflowing measure of grace from the font of heavenly gifts. Amen.

-Fr Nick