Fifth Day. the Sacred Heart of Jesus Teaching Charity
Thy Heart, O my Jesus, is a mystery of charity; mine is a mystery of malice. I am ashamed and confounded when I consider attentively Thy Heart, O my Jesus! Thou, the Creator and Master of all things—Thou art meek and lowly of heart, and I, a poor outcast, am full of pride and presumption. How often have I not outraged Thy love and despised Thy law, and still Thou art silent and forgivest me! Thou art ever ready to welcome back Thy lost sheep, no matter how far they have strayed, nor how deeply they have wounded and insulted Thy loving Heart! And can it be that after that I would dare violate the charity I owe my neighbor? That I would, for a slight offence, allow proud and revengeful feelings to take possession of my heart? Oh, what a contrast to Thy gentleness and patience! I cannot forget the least insult received, whilst Thou, O my God, at the first sincere prayer for pardon wilt forget all the injuries that I have offered Thee. Could I then fail to choose Thy Heart as a model for my own? But how can this cold heart of mine ever resemble that kindest Heart of Thine? Thou alone possessest the remedy. Behold me then, O sweet Jesus, and mercifully regard a misery so profound. “My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready.” I will extol Thee, O God my King, and I will bless Thy name forever and ever.
Prayer.
Be Thou praised and blessed forever, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, Who in the fervor of Thy charity, hast devised a miraculous means of filling hearts with the holy flame of Thy divine love. Impress my heart so deeply with this divine seal, that nothing may ever enter into it, or proceed from it, that is not in conformity with Thy Sacred Heart. Amen.