Day 5: Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Heart of Jesus, overflowing with goodness and love

The heart of Jesus is a burning furnace of love”, because charity has something of the nature of fire, which burns and blazes to illuminate and heat.  At the same time, in the sacrifice of Calvary the heart of the Redeemer was not destroyed by the fire of suffering. Even if humanly it died, as ascertained by the Roman centurion piercing Christ’s side with a spear, in the divine economy of salvation this heart is still alive, as was manifested at the resurrection.

And here, the living heart itself of the risen and glorified Redeemer is “overflowing with goodness and love: infinitely and superabundantly overflowing. The overflowing of the human heart reaches its divine measure in Christ.

This heart was already like this during the days of earthly life. What is narrated in the Gospel bears witness to this. The fullness of charity is manifested through goodness: through goodness it shone and diffused itself on everyone, firstly on all those suffering and poor, on everyone according to their needs and their truest expectations.

Such is the human heart of the Son of God also after the experience of the cross and of the sacrifice. Indeed, even more so: overflowing with love and with goodness. (St Pope John Paul II)

Let us pray:  The Lord Jesus has revealed the free and universal love of the Father and from his open heart flows the source of every grace and blessing.

Let us entrust our prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as we say:

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, whose heart when pierced by a lance poured forth blood and water and gave birth to your spouse the Church, cleanse and sanctify us.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, King and center of all hearts, you love us and lead us to yourself with unending love and mercy, renew your covenant with all men.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, the fullness of divinity dwells in you, give us a share in your divine life.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, in you are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, make known to us through your Church the manifold wisdom of God.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, the Father was well pleased in you, help us to hear your word and keep it.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Jesus, you are the source of life and holiness, make us holy and blameless in love.

Glory Be

Jesus, meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto Thine.

Let us pray:

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who glory in the Heart of your beloved Son and recall the wonders of his love for us, may be made worthy to receive an overflowing measure of grace from that fount of heavenly gifts.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.