Considerations and Prayers for Every Day
First Day. the Love of the Sacred Heart for Us
The love of the Sacred Heart for us is at once the tender affection of a brother, and the infinite love of the Son of God, with which, from all eternity, Our Redeemer looked forward eagerly to the salvation of mankind. He saw us doomed to everlasting death, He saw us, and each one of us individually among the number, unable to atone for our sins. Then He offered Himself to satisfy the justice of the Father. Thou didst implore mercy for us, and it was granted Thee, only on condition that Thou shouldst satisfy for us. And what satisfaction was required! Torments the most cruel, insults the most humiliating, death on the cross—that was the price at which Thou wast permitted to redeem us. Thou didst accept all, and wast even ready to suffer more if necessary. Ah, Lord! What then shall I do for Thee? What return can I make for such great love? O generous, O incomprehensible Friend! How can I ever repay the debt I owe Thee, Heart of my Jesus? I abandon my whole being to Thy sweet love, to live and die therein.
Prayer.
Adorable Heart of my Saviour, I adore Thee, praise Thee, and offer Thee my whole self. O divine Jesus, I beseech Thee to receive me to-day into Thy Sacred Heart! Pour into my heart the light, help and graces I need to conquer my enemies, and to surmount all obstacles that will hinder my salvation, and the Christian perfection required to please Thee. Amen.