On this Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and World Day of Prayer for Priests, let us reflect on the Sacred Scripture for this day, Hebrews 10:19-31:

Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

For if we wilfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgement, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy ‘on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by those who have spurned the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know the one who said, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

This reading from the Letter to the Hebrews offers a challenge, in the words of Mary Healey (2016, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture):

"Show up. Exhort and encourage your brothers and sisters. Be an example of faith and steadfast endurance. Pray fervently for others, especially leaders. Draw near to the throne of God with confident trust, asking for grace and mercy in time of need. If the family of God has problems, be a part of the solution."

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Image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Mosaic located at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.