The Sacred Heart of Jesus

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. - Matthew 11:28-30.

In this weekend's Gospel passage, Jesus exclaims that our understanding of the relationship and love between Father and Son is "hidden from the wise and learned" but revealed to the "little ones" – which suggests that we shouldn't over-think God's love. I admired the innocent responses and energetic prayer of the children who attended this year's Vacation Bible School June 22-26. Their participation was heart-warming and encouraging throughout the week. Similarly, their presence at Sunday Mass each weekend with their families and participation in our Children's Liturgy of the Word helps us focus on the "heart" of Jesus' message.

The Yoke of God's Love The passage continues with Jesus' gentle invitation to all who are burdened to find rest in his heart. The 'yoke' he references is often a symbol of the Law of Moses, which could seem difficult with its many commands, even though it was also seen as God's revelation of himself to his own people. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection "fulfilled" the law and opened the gates of heaven to those who would follow him. The image of a "yoke" suggests that Jesus desires to share his life with us and give "rest" to our burdens.

How can we best share God's love and relationship with others? Jesus says: learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart. Yet patience, tolerance, understanding, and forgiveness are often in short supply in our families, social media posts, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Meekness and humility are not signs of weakness, but of strength. It takes courage to trust that sometimes the best response to a hurtful action or injury is no response. We don't need to tolerate inappropriate or cruel actions, but we also don't need to respond in kind. Instead, we can find a respectful way to disagree or offer an alternative approach.

Consecration to the Sacred Heart On June 11, 2026, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops consecrated the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the eve of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart this year. Archbishop Alexander Sample proclaimed that consecration for the Archdiocese of Portland on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi as Catholics from parishes all over diocese processed the Holy Eucharist through the streets of downtown Portland.

This weekend, we will pray and extend that consecration for Our Lady of the Lake parish at each of the Masses. (You can find this text on page 2 of this bulletin.) From our beginning as Sacred Heart Parish in 1890 and now in our 70th year as Our Lady of the Lake here at 8th Street, our parishioners have responded to the call to be beacons of hope and compassion in our civic community.

As our country celebrates its 250th anniversary of founding, may we at OLL parish continue to be a visible light and living example of tolerance and reconciliation, defenders of life, justice, and peace through our ministries and outreach.

Psalm 145 this weekend helps us reflect: The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and compassionate to all his works; the Lord raises up all who are bowed down. Our King is a servant leader, who invites us to follow in word and deed.

— Tom Tomaszek, Pastoral Associate