June 28, 2014 The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Bless the Lord, my soul! (Psalm 103:1) Yes! Bless the Lord today. Praise him and exalt him with all that is within you—not just the things that you are proud of or good at or that seem important to you. God has created you unique among all creation, and his heart is always for you. He loves to help you fulfill his plans for your life. Know that you can’t be too clumsy, absentminded, or stubborn to become God’s instrument. He can work with those things! Consider Margaret Mary Alacoque, a seventeenth- century nun considered to be no practical good in her convent. She found it difficult to pray according to the order’s established format, and she inspired only scorn and contempt among her fellow nuns. But it was to her that Jesus entrusted the message of the Sacred Heart. He told “useless” Sr. Margaret Mary that three streams flow eternally from his heart: mercy for sinners, help for all in need, and love and light to enable people to shine forth the glory of the Lord. He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills. (Psalm 103:3) His stream of mercy flows without end to forgive and to restore whatever is wrong in you. Invite him to touch whatever is weak, or painful, or shameful, or just plain annoying. He will forgive. He will transform and heal. He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion. (Psalm 103:4) That second stream, help for all in need, flows also without ceasing. Set your heart on serving him, despite the things that you believe disqualify you. You are not too weak, inept, or useless. He understands you and will help you! Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. (Psalm 103:8) Love and light flow from Jesus’ Sacred Heart. Love, full of grace and mercy, streams towards you daily. That love is ever patient, not easily riled, and infinitely gentle. God cares about you. He wants you to succeed as you promote his glory, in whatever ways he shows you to do that. So bless the Lord today—and every day! “Sacred Heart of Jesus, forgive and heal me. Redeem me, and crown me with your steadfast love. Most of all, guide me in all my ways.” Deuteronomy 7:6-11; 1 John 4:7-16; Matthew 11:25-30
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 09:28:04 +0000