Busy for Whom?

I have been reading about devotion to the Sacred Heart; a dear friend of mine, who lives in England, has sent me some material concerning this and it has made for fascinating reading, to say the least.

As I was finishing my "set" for the day, I was sitting here reflecting on how well I have been showing devotion to His Heart, where dwells His Divine Mercy and Love ~ and how I have neglected it!

I spend my days and nights caught up in day-to-day activities with family and household, sometimes able to stop by the church for a quick visit ~ an hour if I am lucky ~ but most of the time I dream of it. I cannot get over there every day, and I don't know anyone who does...but I think of how wonderful it would be to make an extra Holy Mass during the week, or an extra visit, or even an extra Rosary now and then. I mean, if we are devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, are we not also showing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Her Son as well??

I am sure that when the Angel appeared to Our Blessed Lady to ask if She would be willing to become the Mother of the Most High, such an honor was the furthest thing from Her mind. She must have had no idea of being so pleasing to God that He would choose Her above everyone else who had ever lived...and it must have weighed heavily upon Her to accept. But this She did without a moment's hesitation; only a quick question of how to accomplish such a thing without knowing a man, since She was a consecrated Virgin, and a very reassuring reply from Gabriel...and it was done! 

For the rest of Her natural life, She was the epitome of a loving Daughter, Wife, Mother ~ and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was the life's blood of her everyday existence. 

I know Her life was anything but easy, but it was Hers all the way; Her own free will was so intertwined with His that to refuse Him anything was completely alien to Her nature. And to be so devoted is the goal of our own hearts as well.

But how are we doing? Are we even close to what She was? I find it hard to believe that I even come within miles...

First of all, what was my first thought this morning when I woke up? Was it my Morning Offering Prayer for the Blue Army? Was it "How's the weather today?" Or did I wonder if Mike had put on the coffee yet? 

As I moved about this morning, did I remember to think of Him? Did I bless myself when I passed by the holy water font in the hallway? Did I even say my Rosary yet? ...and now, being after 3 in the afternoon, did I say my Angelus? Did I do anything for Him today at all? Or did I waste time with trivial matters and leave out the heavy stuff for later? 

Jesus tells us that if we pick up our daily cross and follow Him we will become Saints. We will be saved for eternal life, enjoying the fruits of our labors for Him and His Church. But how charitable are we? So far, I am guessing that I have plenty of room in my heart and life for more loving behavior toward my neighbor than I have up til now.  How willing are we to give up just one moment of our own comfort to help someone in need? to visit a sick relative or a lonely elderly parent? to offer just one small sacrifice of time or talent for another person whose day would truly be made happier just because we took the time to notice them? 

All of these things I need to improve upon ~ and I don't mind examining my conscience here, in public, because I would be willing to bet that I am not the only one.

I profess to love Him ~ but do I really mean it? do I show it? do I even want to? 

The answers to these questions lie deep within me. I must begin to examine what is truly in my own heart, before I can profess to love His.

This self-examination starts today...