Out-pouring of Grace from the Sacred Heart – Jan 17 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jan 17, 2024, the Anniversary of the Dedication of Sacred Heart Chapel, drawing parallels between Ezekiel's vision, the Samaritan woman's encounter with Christ, and the continuous outpouring of grace and truth in Christian worship.

Father's homily celebrates the anniversary of the dedication of the Sacred Heart Chapel, originally dedicated in 1997. He reflects on the significance of the chapel, named after the Resurrection and Glorification of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, emphasizing the outpouring of graces from the glorified heart of Jesus. He references Ezekiel's vision of a new temple, symbolizing the new covenant and Christ's body. This vision includes a river of grace flowing from Christ's pierced heart, representing the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and baptism. Father explains how Ezekiel's river symbolizes grace converting people and relates to baptism, as it turns the salty, undrinkable sea into fresh water fresh drinkable water.

He connects the scriptural fruit trees along the river to divine scriptures, as Saint Jerome interpreted, nourishing souls and curing sinners. He further discusses the river in the responsorial psalm, symbolizing the joy of God's love and strength in resisting temptation, as Saint Augustine interprets. Father emphasizes relying on God's strength, recalling Christ's encounter with the Samaritan woman and his offering of living water, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

He then relates this to the Christian life, where each Christian is a temple of God, following St. Paul's teaching. Father explains Jesus's teaching to the Samaritan woman about worshipping in spirit and truth, with Saint Basil interpreting 'truth' as Christ himself. He concludes by comparing the Sacred Heart Chapel with a historical church on Mount Gerizim, noting architectural and symbolic similarities, and encourages worship in spirit and truth, acknowledging the continuous grace from Christ's Sacred Heart.

Bible References:
Ezekiel's vision of the new temple: Ezekiel 40 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/40
Christ's body as a temple: John 2:19 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/2?19
River of grace from Christ: Ezekiel 47 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/47
Isaiah on the wicked: Isaiah 57:20 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/57?20
Christ's words enduring: Matthew 24:35 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/24?35
Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus: John 4 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/4
Worship in spirit and truth: John 4:23 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/4?23
St. Paul on being God's temple: 1 Corinthians 3:16 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/3?16

Ave Maria!

Mass readings:
1st: Kings 8:22-23, 27-30
Resp: PS 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
2nd: Corinthians 3:9c-l l, 16-17
Gospel: John 4:19-24

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