Tenth Day. the Ingratitude of Men to the Heart of Jesus
Wherever we cast our eyes we meet with sad proofs of the ingratitude of men to the Heart of Jesus. A large portion of the Christian world is plunged in heresy, denying Christ’s presence in the mystery of the Altar, and not satisfied with refusing to recognize this great benefit they have lifted their sacrilegious hand against the sacred Host. But, O divine Jesus, behold a still more grievous source of sorrow to Thy Heart! It is not from Jews or heretics that Thou receivest these insults, but from Thine own chosen people, the people who profess to believe in Thy real presence. Jesus is in our midst, we know it, and yet He is the only One Whom we forget, the only One Whom we treat with careless indifference. It is thus that Christians respond to the love of Our Lord; it is thus they repay all His benefits. O sweet Jesus, pardon my base ingratitude! Angels of heaven, you who know so much better than I the full extent of the love of Jesus’ Heart towards me, praise Him for me, and bless Him. O my God, grant that I may live poor, unknown, and hidden in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, my divine Master, forgotten and despised by creatures, so that Thou mayest establish Thy reign of love upon my nothingness. I hope that Thou wilt mercifully hear my request, and grant it.
Prayer.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, my Lord! O noblest, greatest, and most generous of all hearts! I adore the divine impulses which led Thee, from the moment of Thy conception, to love me who was nothing, who would offend Thee in so many ways, and so often misuse Thy graces. O holy Friend of hearts, change my heart, and make it choose Thee for its only Friend. Amen.