CONSTANT UNION WITH JESUS

 Divine Appeal Reflection  - 85

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 85: "I desire souls to unite themselves to Me in all their ways. I am thirsting for souls." 

This plea from the Sacred Heart of our Adorable Jesus is not only for moments of prayers or adoration, but for every part of our lives – our joys, sorrows, happiness, and even the smallest of our daily experiences. Jesus asks us to invite Him in our happy moments, recognizing that He is the source of all good things (James 1:17). Gratitude should be shown to the One who brings us joy, acknowledging His presence in our life and expressing our happiness to Him on these occasions. As a sympathetic friend and someone who understands sorrow well, Jesus stands by us throughout difficult times (Isaiah 53:3). In Matthew 5:4, He extends an invitation for us to join Him in sharing our pain and finding comfort in His assurance of comfort. Since He took on our griefs and sorrows on the cross, we are able to partake in His redeeming work when we surrender to Him our sufferings (Isaiah 53:4). 

Jesus wants to be our guide and adviser as we make minor life decisions as well as the major decisions that influence our path in life (Isaiah 9:6). By seeking His will in all things and uniting our decisions with His wisdom, we align our lives with His divine purpose, trusting that He works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). In our interactions with family, friends, and neighbors alike, Jesus calls us to embody His love and compassion, becoming vessels of His grace to a world in need (Matthew 25:40). When we deepen our understanding and experience of His boundless love, we are empowered to radiate His image to others; allowing souls to see through His mercy and love. Ultimately, uniting ourselves with Jesus in every aspect of our lives is a call to live in intimate communion with Him, allowing His life to become our own (Galatians 2:20). As we abide in Him, we bear fruit that reflects His character and glory, fulfilling His desire for souls to be united with Him in all things (John 15:4).

May we, like Sister Anna Ali, be drawn to a closer relationship with our Lord and discover His presence in all of life's joys and sufferings, achievements and disappointments. May His love guide our actions, our minds be open to His wisdom, and our hearts be responsive to His guiding hand. As we walk in step with our Savior, our hearts joined with His, and our souls yearning for the fullness found only in Him, may our lives bear witness to the reality of this union.