What a contrast there is between my conduct and that of Thy saints—between
my indifference and their love towards Thy sweet Heart in the Blessed
Sacrament! St. John Francis Regis, when worn out with labor, would retire
to the church and would there find repose and rest at the feet of Jesus.
St. Francis Xavier used to pass the night and take his repose in the
sacristy, so as to be near Jesus. Leopold, Duke of Austria, would dismount
from his horse, and falling on his knees would adore his Saviour as the
procession of the Blessed Sacrament passed him by. It is true that I
cannot, nor does Jesus expect me to imitate these bright examples; yet if
I have the will and the desire I can do much. Could I not often think of
Jesus, lonely in the Blessed Sacrament, waiting and watching for me, His
poor creature, to visit Him? Could I not, like St. Alphonsus, visit the
Blessed Sacrament every day? Could I not, when I bend my knee before Him,
say “Blessed and praised be the Adorable Sacrament of the Altar?” Could I
not refrain from useless talk in church? Could I not easily assist at
Benediction as often as it takes place in church? All this I could do, O
loving Heart of Jesus, if I only cared for Thee, if the love of Thee had
taken full possession of my soul. But I am weak, O Jesus, and ever prone
to thwart Thy adorable intentions; still I am comforted by the thought
that Thou wilt aid and sustain me. This urges me to pray, in fullest hope
of obtaining all things conducive to my sanctification here, and my
salvation hereafter. Perfect my desires, I implore Thee, and let the
example of Thy saints stimulate me to love Thee in the Blessed Sacrament
more and more.
Prayer.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thou art the source of the joy and holiness of
the saints, and from Thy fulness we receive all that we can have or wish
for in heaven and on earth. Through Thy charity, and through that of the
heart of Thy holy Mother, I beseech Thee to bestow on me the sweet peace
of charity, and to make my heart ever yielding and obedient to the
impulses of Thy divine grace. Amen.
Twenty‐fifth Day. The Agony of the Heart of Jesus.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account