Divine Appeal Reflection - 161
Today, consider in Divine Appeal 161: "In the prison of My tabernacle I implore you to assure souls that I long, thirst and look at their guilt but they do not want to look at Me."
The phrase “they do not want to look at Me” unveils the sorrow of our Adorable Jesus, whose Sacred Heart yearns to heal us but is met with avoidance. Jesus does not look at anyone to condemn them , but to free them, to call them lovingly to repentance and transformation. Many souls fear encountering Him because His gaze uncovers their guilt, much like Adam and Eve hiding from God after their fall (cf. Genesis 3:8). This evasion stems from a misunderstanding of His intentions. As St. Augustine reminds us, God’s love for each individual is so deep that it is as if He loves them alone in the world (cf. Confessions, Book 13, Ch. 11). This profound truth reveals the personal and infinite care He has for every soul, inviting us to draw near to His Sacred Heart. His gaze is , therefore , an invitation to come out of hiding and embrace His mercy.
Our Adorable Jesus’ gaze is one of infinite love and compassion, yet it often meets resistance. Many fear the vulnerability required to face Him, believing their sins make them unworthy. St. Thérèse of Lisieux reminds us, “What offends Jesus, what wounds His Heart, is lack of trust” (cf. Story of a Soul, Manuscript B). His Sacred Heart, burning with the desire to forgive, does not recoil at our guilt but longs to draw us closer. When we refuse to meet His gaze, we deprive ourselves of the transformative power of His mercy. This refusal chains us to the very guilt He seeks to free us from, leaving our hearts restless until they rest in Him (cf. St. Augustine, Confessions, Book 1, Chapter 1).
Looking at our Adorable Jesus takes humility and courage, traits exemplified by renowned saints and Church doctors. St. John Chrysostom believed that "nothing is more powerful than the gaze of the Lord; it heals the sick, restores the sinner, and calls the soul to its true dignity" (Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew). His gaze enters our hearts, revealing not just our flaws but also the beauty and promise that we possess as loving children of God. By letting His loving eyes to meet ours, we participate in a holy exchange in which guilt is replaced by grace and despair by hope.
To overcome the fear of looking at our Adorable Jesus, we must approach Him in faith, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. St. Catherine of Siena assures us, “The soul cannot live without loving. It must have something to love, for it was created for love” (cf. The Dialogue, Chapter 4). Jesus thirsts for our love, and His gaze is a profound expression of that longing. Let us no longer hide in fear but trust in His mercy, confident that His love is greater than any sin. By gazing upon Him in prayer, especially in Eucharistic Adoration, we open our hearts to His transformative power, allowing His Sacred Heart to lead us into the fullness of life.
Prayer
Oh our Adorable Jesus, we turn to Your loving gaze, trusting in Your mercy. Free us from fear and heal our wounded souls. Draw us into the light of Your grace and transform our hearts to seek You always. May we lead others to Your love and endless forgiveness.
Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.
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