A particular practice in honor of the Sacred Heart
God continually
bestows his graces upon us in consideration of the blood of his Son, and thereby
makes us acquire immense treasures for eternity. But it must be acknowledged
that by our negligences we every day suffer considerable losses; the greater
number of our actions losing their value for want of a pure intention. We ought
to go forth from this sad state. The best means of rendering our actions as
meritorious for ourselves, and glorious to God, as it is possible, is, as
Blosius recommends, to offer all our actions and good works to the most sweet
heart of Jesus, that they may be purified; for it has so much tenderness for us,
that it is ever ready to perfect the good it has placed in us. Our Lord himself
often taught St Gertrude this practice. Once, among other times, he appeared to
her, in company of St John the Evangelist. The latter was writing; he sometimes
dipped his pen in an inkstand, which he held in his hand, and formed black
letters, which signified the ordinary actions of the soul; and sometimes dipped
it in the side of our Lord, and formed red characters, which designated such
actions as were united with his sufferings. Profit of this instruction: thus, if
you work, pray, suffer, offer all in union with works, and prayers, and sufferings
of the sacred heart; nay, more, if you commit a fault, after having humbled
yourself for it, go to the sacred heart for the virtue contrary to it, whether
it be humility, resignation, patience, charity, and offer it to the eternal
Father, in expiation of your offense. This is a short and easy means of paying
your debts, the moment you contract them, and of acquiring immense treasures of
merits. It was the habitual practice of venerable M. Alacoque. Lord, would she
say after a fault, you see the harm I have done; atone for your poor slave. At
night, place all your actions of the day in this adorable heart, that it may
supply for their deficiencies. St Gertrude being one day greatly discouraged by
the distractions she experienced in prayer, our Lord, to console her, appeared
and said, “Behold my heart, the delight of the holy Trinity; supply your wants
by it; offer it for all your negligences.
Say thrice: Sacred Heart of Jesus,
have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
O sacred heart, never let me be separated from you.
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