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Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased, have mercy on us. "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3: 17)
Meditation
On a certain night centuries ago, a brilliant light illuminated the plains near Bethlehem, and a messenger from heaven appeared to the watching shepherds and said: Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy for this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger (Luke 2:10-12). The angel had hardly ceased to speak, when suddenly there was with him a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will. What was the wonderful event that caused the heavenly spirits to descend to earth? Why do they appear to these poor shepherds on the plains? What kind of feast for the poor and humble can this indeed really be, that heaven and earth meet in a kiss of peace? Is it possible? Is this child, born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, truly the Son of God? Can it be that this Son of the Almighty is to be recognized by His very poverty and frailty? Is that the honor which is to be given to the heavenly Father? And is this poverty and frailty the reason that the angels sing: Glory to God in the highest? Here is certainly a strange conception of honor and one such as is not customary among men. If the Son of God really desired to become man to prove His divine love for us, should not His heavenly Father have provided the most beautiful place in all the world for His habitation? But instead of doing that, Almighty God permitted Him to be born in a lowly stable, chose for Him poor parents, did not even grant Him a hut for Himself, suffered Him, even in His childhood, to endure the greatest privations, contempt, persecution and exile, and finally sent Him to a poor dwelling in Nazareth. God the Father willed that His Son live there in seclusion until He reach the age of thirty years, and be generally considered the Son of a carpenter. In this manner does God rear, if I may use the expression, His only-begotten Son in humility and seems even proud to have a Son who is misjudged and despised by men. And it is precisely because His Son obeys with such willingness and submission, that the heavenly Father publicly professes His great pleasure in this Son, when, on the occasion of His baptism in the Jordan, He said: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. The Father who is in heaven judges differently from earthly fathers. The latter show too much interest in the outward appearance, the natural talent and advantages of their children. The heavenly Father looks into the Heart of Jesus and there He sees a
Heart filled with perfect filial love, greater than any He receives from the children of men. From the first moment of the Incarnation, at His birth in the stable at Bethlehem, during His exile in Egypt and during His life at Nazareth, the Heart and mind of Jesus were in closest union with the divine Father. Even as a child Jesus knew no other will but the will of His heavenly Father. All that is Mine is Thine not My will but Thine be done. Thus Jesus prayed without ceasing. Consider His words and actions in the temple, the house of His Father. There He feels so perfectly at home that His Heart is ever drawn to it. At the age of twelve He seems untouched by the sorrow He caused His beloved Mother, so that when she asked Him, Son, why hast Thou done so to us? He answers: Did you not know that I must be about my Fathers business? As much as to say: Where the honor of my heavenly Father is concerned, I have no consideration for flesh and blood. These same words might well be written on the door of the tabernacle, because they are the key to a better understanding of the sublime mystery of the perpetual presence of Jesus. In fact, He lives in the tabernacle, where His Heart beats continually in honor of His heavenly Father, while, day after day and hour after hour, men disobey the will of the eternal God. Outside the tabernacle there is a constant struggle for earthly goods, for honor and reputation and sensual pleasures; but, thanks be to God! Here in the tabernacle there beats a Heart in solitude, repeating: Not My will but Thine be done. The loving Heart of Jesus yearns to remain poor, hidden and humble, in order to atone for the pride of the world and to restore the honor of God. Could it be possible that the divine Father would not be pleased with the heroic Heart of His Son? For those who have ears to hear, the words of the Father are heard again as they were heard on the banks of the Jordan and on Mount Tabor: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. My soul, from the Heart of Jesus you, too, must learn complete submission to the holy will of God. You, too, must work zealously for the glory of God. It is not necessary for you to perform extraordinary deeds. It matters not whether you are honored or admired by others; the important thing is that God be honored, loved and adored. Follow the example of the Heart of Jesus in the tabernacle: offer yourself to God every day and hour; perform your daily duties, the lowliest as well as the important ones, without thinking of any other reward but the friendship and love of the Heart of Jesus, your Brother. United your intentions with His, and you may have confidence that in you also the Father will be pleased.
O Mary, Mother of my Saviour, do thou accept me as thy child; protect me in my weakness with the mantle of thy motherly love. Recommend me to thy Son and place me under His care. O thou treasurer of the Heart of Jesus, our Lady of the Sacred Heart, draw thou from the depths of this Heart the treasures of Its graces and enrich my heart with them. Through thy intercession with Jesus, thy Son, obtain for me the special grace to receive this Holy Communion with perfect purity of heart, so that it may be the pledge of my eternal salvation.
Desire
The moment approaches when the Son of God will enter my heart to bestow upon me, a poor sinner, the most inexplicable honor that is bestowed on a child of God on earth. Be astonished, ye choirs of angels, at the sight of a lowly creature being thus favored; and since you cannot partake of this divine Food, inflame my poor heart with a burning love of God, so that I may desire nothing but the possession of this Spouse of souls and that I may never again be separated from Him. Come, then, my Jesus, my Brother; sanctify, strengthen and purify me, so that the Father may be well pleased with me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee. (Indulgence: 300 days. Plenary once a month.)
Resolution
O my sweetest Jesus, now that I belong to Thee alone, do not permit me ever to be separated from Thee. Fortify my heart against all temptations of the flesh and the seductions of this godless world. Remove from my heart every inclination forward the forbidden fruits of this fleeting life, and grant me instead a hunger and thirst for Thy love
and friendship. O Thou, my divine Friend, aid me in making a holy covenant with Thee, sealed with the blood of Thy Sacred Heart. Henceforth I desire to seek only Thy honor and to propagate the love of Thy most Sacred Heart. May Thy loving Heart be known, praised, glorified, loved and adored everywhere and at all times. In this solemn moment I promise to Thy Sacred Heart my love and loyalty unto death. I declare myself willing to fulfill Thy every wish. Because I know that deeds are more pleasing to Thee than words I promise to practice the following virtue today. (Mention some special act, such as almsgiving, kindness, forgiveness, etc.) Moreover, I promise to be particularly steadfast in combating my principal fault during this month, and for this purpose to examine my conscience every evening. But do Thou, O sweetest Jesus, have patience with me if I become forgetful of my promise; Thou knowest how weak I am. Only in Thee and with Thy grace shall I be able to keep my resolution. Heart of Jesus, burning with love of us, inflame our hearts with love of Thee. (Indulgence: 500 days. Plenary once a month if said every day.)