Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/141



HEART of  my  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ! how miserable  am  I,  and  how  ungrateful  after so many  benefits  and  favours,  so  many  visits  and inspirations, especial  protections  and  graces  of  every kind. I have not  one  act  of  love  worthy  of  thee. I am cold  and  indifferent. O Heart of  my  dearest Lord, full  of  compassion,  have  mercy  on  my  extreme misery. Take my  cold  miserable  heart,  and  put  it in  thy  inflamed  Heart,  where  it  may  be  consumed with the  love  of  thy  holy  Heart. I am all  misery and sin: Thou  art  all  mercy  and  compassion. Thou wert open  that  I might  enter  in  and  find  rest  to  my soul  in  the  holy  sanctuary  of  thy  Heart,  where  every treasure is  to  be  found. This holy  sanctuary  was formed for  me  in  the  womb  of  the  Blessed  Virgin, and opened  on  Calvary,  that  in  every  distress  I might  enter  and  procure  strength. But, alas! the blindness that  holds  my  heart! I am wounded,  and thy loving  kindness  compels  me  to  come  in,  that you may  heal  my  poor  soul. Keep me,  O Lord,  and teach me  to  adore  and  thank  thee. Make me  know the treasures  that  I possess  in  thy  holy  Heart. Give me  grace  that  I may  use  them  for  thy  honour. Grant that  I may  no  longer  be  like  the  unwise servant, who  hiding  his  talent  had  no  interest  for his lord.

HO am  I,  that  grieve  at  the  least  ingratitude,  and resent the  smallest  slight  or  disrespect; while I enter the  church  without  proper  respect,  perhaps wholly forgetful  that  the  Heart  of  my  Jesus,  so tender  and  so  jealous  of  my  love,  is  there  waiting for me  that  I may  offer  some  act  of  love  or  gratitude