SH Novena 5th Day : God’s attitude towards us

Scripture:  He began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he  cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ (Mark 10:46-52).

Reflection:
Have you ever thought of yourself as a ‘loved sinner’? Or have you felt more a condemned sinner, wedged irretrievably in the consequences of sins, hopelessly caught up in your own sinfulness and that of the world? Our honesty and humility in prayer can help us to realise that we are not trapped and that it is God‘s desire to forgive, not to condemn. Speak, in your heart, to God about how much you want to know that fact interiorly.

St Ignatius suggests, in a wonderful passage of the Spiritual Exercise, that I might ask for the grace to express a ‘heartfelt cry of wonder’ at the forgiveness and mercy that has been given to me.

Desire: A joyful awareness that I am a loved sinner, a heartfelt knowledge of God’s compassion.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, open our hearts to you.

(spend some quiet time in prayer with Jesus … speak to Jesus… hear Jesus… feel His Presence with you)

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Closing Prayer for each day

Lord Jesus, your Sacred Heart is always open in love to each of us, especially when we are suffering. To all who come to you seeking your help, you show your compassion and healing power.

You care for us when we are lost, sympathise with us in loneliness and comfort us in mourning; you are closest to us when we are weakest. You reach out your hand to us when we stumble and have most need of your help. I ask you to listen to my prayer during this Novena, and grant what I ask… (make your request silently)

If what I ask is not for my own or other’s good, grant me always what is best, that I may build your kingdom of love in our world.  Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Amen.

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