June: The Month of Sacred Heart of Jesus

This morning started great until someone asked in a group chat I was in, "Why do Christians hate gay people and those with gender dysphoria?"

I was like, well thanks for asking, not something to expect on a Monday morning while I was still sorting my work inbox out. However, it got me thinking for a second. Nowadays, the word "hate" gets thrown around very casually. For example, if I challenged you to put some broccoli on your pizza, I bet there would be people claiming, "I hate that combo!"

You see what I mean? The word hate has become so diluted. It’s no longer reserved for the extreme ends of the spectrum; it’s something people casually toss out over the smallest things. The flip side of that is also true: something that isn’t hatred at all can easily be misunderstood as extreme bigotry or intolerance.

And that’s exactly what I want to talk about today—the times when our efforts to speak out of love get misconstrued as hatred. It’s a tricky thing to navigate, but it’s important to understand why this happens and how we can respond with clarity and grace.

As we step into June, the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I think it’s the perfect moment for us to reevaluate how we navigate these conversations. It’s easy to brush someone’s concerns off and preach, “Your attraction is disordered, and you’re going to hell.” But honestly? Truth without love is not the Gospel at all. We can do so much better than that.

We can’t expect someone to listen to us if our first words to them are about how they’re a bad person. I’m no expert on biology, but from my own experience, I’ve learned that most people don’t have control over who they’re attracted to. Maybe they were born that way, maybe not—but one thing is for sure: many have experienced trauma or hurt that has shaped their view of relationships or their own gender. I wish I could dive deeper into this as I did not experience this, but the truth is, we can’t assume we know someone’s full backstory or their motives.

Maybe we don’t understand it all yet. Maybe we need to listen more—to learn from them how the world has broken them and how we can be a source of healing. The Gospel calls us to be salt and light in this world. That means we need to meet people where they are, to be their friends, and walk alongside them in love before we start correcting them. This is where humility comes in.

I often say to people, “We can love others without tolerating their sins.” But, honestly, I find it difficult to live that out myself. How many times have I knowingly sinned, even though I fully understand that it’s wrong? God is love, yes—but He is also justice. To become more like Him also means calling out evil for what it is when it’s sin, and that applies to us too.

This applies to all kinds of sin—and that includes my own. When I sin, I have to let go of my own pride, the pride that tells me I can't be wrong, that I don’t need God, that I don’t need repentance. How dangerous that belief is. Of course I need to run, not just walk, back to God the Father like the prodigal son and ask for forgiveness. And then, I need to do my best to sin no more.

Can I guarantee that I’ll never sin again? No. I’m just human, and that’s why I need His grace.

Pride is the mother of all sins. And this truth isn't just for Pride Month—it applies to all sin in our lives. As we continue to call out the evil of Pride Month, we must also take a hard look at our own hearts. We need to free ourselves from the bondage of pride. As the Gospel of John 8:7 says:

"Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."

Remember what happened after Jesus spoke those words? No one cast the first stone. One by one, they all left, and the woman was left standing alone. Jesus then told her, “Go, and sin no more.” What’s so powerful here is that Jesus didn’t call her by her sin—He called her by her name. He didn’t condemn her. He didn’t cast her aside. He offered her a chance at redemption.

And that truth is just as real for every single one of us. As we look at those under the rainbow flags, let us remember that they, too, are made in God’s image and likeness—not evil beings to be shunned. We are all sinners in need of grace.

Rather than approaching with condemnation, we should seek out dialogue, ask honest questions, and understand why people make the choices they do. Most importantly, we should pray for their healing—true, full healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ, not in their gender identity.

To circle back to my broccoli-on-pizza analogy: if you’ve spoken out of love and are still misunderstood as hateful, know that I am praying for you. Keep pushing forward, holding truth in one hand and love in the other.

Please pray the Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with me.

O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow for my sins, I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you.

Amen.

Thanks for reading, God bless.