RESPONDING TO THE LOVE OF JESUS

Divine Appeal Reflection - 181

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 181:  "Respond to My Love. I lead, bless and strengthen you. Seek to console Me. Do not be afraid to lose yourself. Follow Me along this painful path. I am Love and union is Love... My Divine..."

Our Adorable Jesus thirsts for our love, yet He does not impose Himself upon us but gently calls, waiting for our free response. In the Gospel, He reminds us that He stands at the door of our hearts, knocking and inviting us into communion with Him (cf. Revelation 3:20, CCC 2567). This invitation is not passive; it requires an active response—one of faith, fidelity, and sacrifice. Love is not merely a sentiment but a total gift of self, and our response to Jesus must reflect this reality. To love Him means to follow Him without reserve, placing our trust entirely in His Divine Providence.

To respond to Jesus' love means allowing Him to lead us completely, surrendering our own desires to His perfect will. He assures us, “I lead, bless and strengthen you,” reminding us that even in the trials of life, He is always our Good Shepherd (cf. Psalm 23:1-4). Yet, how often do we resist His guidance, fearing the unknown and clinging to our own plans? True surrender requires detachment from our own will, embracing His path with trust, even when it is painful or uncertain. Only by yielding to His love do we receive the strength and grace to persevere.

Jesus, in His Divine Appeal, also calls us to console Him, for His Heart is wounded by the rejection and indifference of souls. In Gethsemane, He sorrowfully asked, “Could you not watch one hour with Me?” (cf. Matthew 26:40). The call to console our Adorable Jesus is an invitation to reparation, to offer our love in response to the coldness of the world. This consolation is most powerfully given in adoration of His Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament and in uniting our daily sufferings to His for the salvation of souls. Every act of love, every sacrifice made for Him, is a balm to His wounded Heart.

Our Adorable Jesus tells us, “Do not be afraid to lose yourself.” Thus, the radical call to self-denial is echoed in His words: whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it (cf. Matthew 16:25). Losing oneself in Christ means breaking with all self-seeking and yielding oneself to allow Him to take control of one's life and actions (cf. Galatians 2:20).It is a path of suffering, but also of profound union with Love Himself. The more we surrender, the more we are transformed in Him. May our Adorable Jesus grant us the grace to respond to His love without hesitation, following Him in faith and trust until we are perfectly united with Him in eternity.

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, we surrender ourselves entirely to Your divine will. Lead us in the path of holiness, bless us with Your grace, and strengthen us in every trial. Teach us to console You through prayer, sacrifice, and reparation. May we always respond faithfully to Your infinite love.

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.