On the Church calendar for today is the optional memorial of Margaret Mary Alacoque. It was through her that the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus spread throughout the Church.
Born in 1647 in the diocese of Autun in France, she joined the Sisters of the Visitation at Paray-le-Monial. While in the convent she was able to advance in the life of perfection and was favored with mystical revelations. She died on October 17th, 1690.
In one of her letters, she talks about the "Lord's earnest desire to have his sacred heart honored in a special way..." She reminds us that our Lord wants us to lead lives "according to his divine pleasure." Jesus is calling us to have this relationship with Him and to have Him in the center of all we do and in who we are.
Margaret Mary tells us of the three streams that is flowing from the heart of Jesus. They represent mercy for sinners, charity for all in need, and love and light to "the benefit of his friends who have attained perfection." Jesus wants us to be united to him and to follow his commands. Jesus is calling us to deeper prayer and relationship with Him through the sacraments. If you find yourself "sluggish" in prayer, tell God that you offer it for his fervent love in reparation for your sluggishness. In all circumstances in your life, keep God in the center of your thoughts and heart, and know that he will always help you through your struggles and hardships.
Margaret Mary concludes her letter by encouraging us to "preserve peace of heart." She indicates that to do so, you must renounce your own will and substitute it for the will of the divine heart of Jesus.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst wondrously open the unsearchable riches of Thy Heart to blessed Margaret Mary, the virgin: grant unto us, by her merits and our imitation of her, that we may love Thee in all things and above all things, and may be worthy to have our everlasting dwelling in the same Sacred Heart: who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
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