Awaken Love: The 2023 Prayer Pledge // Day 19

“Jesus spoke very strongly to me. ‘What are you doing?’ he said to me. ‘What have you to say? Aren't you ever moved at all?’ Then it was that, not being able to resist any longer, I blurted out: ‘Oh Jesus, how is it that you who are most perfect and all holy choose one so full of coldness and imperfection to love?’” (Saint Gemma’s autobiography) 

How often do we hold our prayers in, or blurt them out to another instead of the Lord? Yet it is our true life experiences the Lord wants to hear about—not platitudes or perfection. Saint Gemma often used words like ‘blurted out” or “complained to the Lord” in her writings. She was so very real with the Lord, and even told Him to “Calm down, Calm down, calm down oh Jesus; if not, your Love will end up burning me to ashes!”

We can be hesitant to relate to the Lord this way. As the presence of Love awakens in our heart, we realize that our King is not ahead of us or lording Himself over us, but instead beside us. Jesus answered Saint Gemma’s question about how He could choose her to love, and He says the same to you today, dear sister: 

"I am burning with desire to unite myself with you. Hasten to receive me every morning. But remember that I am a father and a zealous spouse. Will you be my daughter and my faithful spouse?"

"It is an easy love, oh Jesus, to love Someone that never gets angry with those who offend Him. Many times I have seen, oh Jesus, that while justice demands that I be punished, You take steps to prevent this punishment, even to have it withdrawn. I have found a Jesus so infatuated with my heart that He knows not how to embitter it . . . He wants everything for Himself in reparation for my sins. It is almost a lucky break for me to have been born a sinner, because the veins of my Lord are always open, full of that Sacramental Blood!"

{formbuilder:MTAxMDA1}

Closing Prayer // 

“As many times as I have invoked You, O Jesus, You have made me content; I have often had recourse to You and You have always consoled me. How shall I express myself to You, dear Jesus? I thank you! Yet one more grace I desire of you, O my God, if it would be pleasing to You (here mention your request). If you were not omnipotent, I would not make this request. O Jesus, have pity on me. May your most holy will be done in all things"

// prayer composed by Saint Gemma

Reflection Questions //

Will you be His daughter and faithful spouse today? 

What do you need to blurt out to Jesus?