O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I humbly confess that I am sometimes disappointed after receiving Thee in Holy Communion. Not that there is any insufficiency on Thy part, but rather the insufficiency is all my own. I have nothing worthy to offer to Thee in return for the infinite Gift which Thou hast given to me. Thou art an infinitely good and almighty God, and I am just a poor sinful creature – what can I possibly offer to Thee that is of any value?
Thou tellest me that Thou desirest my heart, and I do not withhold it from Thee. How often do I not pour my heart out to Thee! I tell Thee my troubles, my anxieties, my fears; I give Thee my thanks for all of the many blessings which Thou hast given to me; I ask pardon for all of my many offenses against Thee; I humbly ask of Thee for Thy continued blessings and graces – in short, I adore, I make reparation, I offer thanksgiving, and I supplicate. Truly I give Thee my heart, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
But I am not satisfied with that offering. Why do I continue to pour my heart out to Thee when it is so miserable and wretched and weak and pathetic? My heart is simple – it has received an (un)healthy dose of original sin, it has been confirmed in that sin, and it still perseveres in sin. I am nothing but a sinner with a sinful heart.
But I wish to be a saint. I wish to become pleasing to Thee. I wish to have the heart of a saint – that would undoubtedly be an offering most pleasing to Thee. The very idea of the possibility brings me happiness and peace, even as it fills me with hope. I think of how pleased Thou must have been with the offering of Thy Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Heart, and I someday, somehow, hope to make a similar offering. But in order for that to happen I must be transformed from a sinner into a saint. And who can do that but Thee, my infinitely powerful Jesus! So yes, I completely and unabashedly offer Thee this sinful heart of mine with the hope that Thou wilt transform it into a saintly heart – like that of the Immaculate Heart – that is most pleasing to Thee. Then would I have the power and inspiration of the Holy Ghost working in me and through me. Then I would have the words to say to Thee. Then I would know how to please Thee. Then I would have the knowledge to know what is right and the strength to do what is right. Then my heart would be all on fire with love of Thee. Then would my heart be transformed into Thee. Then would finally be granted the answer to my unceasing prayer – “O Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thy Heart!”
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