Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (2026)

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Rush performs "Closer to the Heart" at their concert July 9, 2026 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California

As many of you know, I'm a fan of the Canadian rock band Rush. It's okay if you've never heard of them. One of my favorite songs is called Closer to the Heart.

There's a verse in that song that has been on my mind as I prepared for today's feast:

"And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones who start
To mold a new reality
Closer to the heart."

As the song continues, it speaks about blacksmiths and artists, philosophers and ploughmen, captains and navigators. The message seems to be that every person has a role to play. Every person has gifts and talents that can help shape the world around them and bring it "closer to the heart."

Whether the members of Rush intended it or not, that's a beautiful way to think about today's feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Today's readings remind us what kind of heart God has. In the first reading, Moses tells Israel that God chose them not because they were the greatest or most powerful nation, but simply because he loved them. In the second reading, Saint John gives us one of the most beautiful statements in all of Scripture: "God is love."

The Sacred Heart reminds us that God's love is not an abstract idea. It is personal. It is real. It has a face, a name, and a heart. The Heart of Jesus is filled with mercy, compassion, forgiveness, humility, and self-sacrificing love.

And in today's Gospel, Jesus extends an invitation: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest."

Everything begins there. Before we can bring others closer to the Heart of Christ, we must first come close to that Heart ourselves. We must allow ourselves to be loved by him, forgiven by him, healed by him, and transformed by him.

But the feast does not end there.

Once we have encountered the love of Christ, we are called to share it. Each of us has been given gifts and talents by God. Some teach. Some lead. Some serve. Some encourage. Some create. Some raise families. Some care for the sick. Some pray quietly behind the scenes. The question is not whether we have gifts. The question is whether we are using them to bring people closer to the Heart of Jesus.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, the bishops of our country have asked Catholics to consecrate our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We all know that our nation is deeply divided. It is easy to look at those problems and feel powerless.

But perhaps the answer begins closer to home.

Perhaps the Lord is not asking us to fix the entire country. Perhaps he is asking us to use the gifts he has given us to make a difference right where we are. A word of kindness. An act of forgiveness. A gesture of mercy. A witness of faith. A commitment to serve. Small things done with great love can change hearts.

And changed hearts can change families. Changed families can change communities. Changed communities can change a nation.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us that real change always begins in the heart.

So today let us ask ourselves: What gifts has God given me? And how can I use those gifts to bring someone closer to the Heart of Christ?

Sacred Heart of Jesus, make our hearts like yours. And through the gifts you have given us, help us bring others closer to your Heart.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Location: Morrisonville, NY, USA

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