The
sacred heart of Christ is an inexhaustible fountain and its sole
desire is to pour itself out into the hearts of the humble so as to
free them and prepare them to lead lives according to his good
pleasure.
From
this divine heart three streams flow endlessly. The first is the
stream of mercy for sinners; it pours into their hearts sentiments of
contrition and repentance. The second is the stream of charity which
helps all in need and especially aids those seeking perfection in
order to find the means of surmounting their difficulties. From the
third stream flow love and light for the benefit of his friends who
have attained perfection; these he wishes to unit to himself so that
they may share his knowledge and commandments and, in their
individual ways, devote themselves wholly to advancing his glory.
This
divine heart is an abyss filled with all blessings, and into the poor
should submerge all their needs. It is an abyss of joy in which all
of us can immerse our sorrows. It is an abyss of lowliness to
counteract our foolishness, an abyss of mercy for the wretched, an
abyss of love to meet our every need.
Are
you making no progress in prayer? The you need only offer God the
prayers which the Savior has poured out for us in the sacrament of
the altar. Offer God his fervent love in reparation for your
sluggishness. In the course of every activity pray as follows: "My
God, I do this or I endure that in the heart of your Son and
according to his holy counsels. I offer it to you in reparation for
anything blameworthy or imperfect in my actions." Continue to do
this in every circumstance of life.
But
above all preserve peace of heart. This is more valuable than any
treasure. In order to preserve it there is nothing more useful than
renouncing your own will and substituting for it the will of the
divine heart. In this way his will can carry out for us whatever
contributes to his glory, and we will be happy to be his subjects and
to trust entirely in him.
--
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque from
a letter
