Homily: June 12, 2026, Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (learn from me)

 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.”

Jesus spoke these words at the beginning of His public ministry. Instead of entering His important mission with pride and great fanfare, Jesus entered meek and humble. And He says, “…learn from me…”

At the end of His earthly life on the cross, when the soldier pierced His side, blood and water gushed forth from His heart — a visible sign of His total sacrifice, His love for humanity. He truly was meek and humble of heart, accepting a humiliating death despite being a King and not having committed any crime. He loved us till the very end.

According to an ancient Christian tradition, it was said that the soldier who pierced the side of Jesus, was suffering from very poor eyesight, but when some of Jesus’ blood and splattered on his eyes, his eyesight was fully restored, he was healed. Whether historical or symbolic, the story shows us that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a heart that heals because it is a heart that loves.

Pope Benedict XVI once said, “From the pierced side of Jesus, humanity saw the Heart of God.” In the Sacred Heart, we see the tenderness, mercy and compassion of God. We see how Jesus is meek, humble, gentle, forgiving, and loving. And He says, “…learn from me…”

Yesterday, we consecrated our country to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, with this prayer: “May our hearts be united to Yours, so that our families and communities enjoy peace and happiness; may broken relationships be reconciled, injustices repaired, and the wounds of our land be healed.”

Jesus’ sacred heart is meek and humble, that is how He saves. For our hearts to be united to His, that is how we share in His salvific mission. And He says, “…learn from me…”

So the celebration of this Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus is an invitation for us to invoke peace instead of anger, reconciliation instead of division, healing instead of hatred, and love instead of indifference. And this is possible only if we learn from Jesus to be meek and humble of heart.

Only a humble heart can truly desire peace, forgiveness, and healing. Pride divides, humility reconciles.

Today, let us united our hearts to the Heart of Jesus and pray that we may be transformed, as we learn from Him and become like Him in all our ways.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make our hearts like Yours. Amen.