Divine Appeal Reflection - 208
Today, consider in Divine Appeal 208: "Who will esteem My painful tears of blood."
These words echo from the depths of His wounded Heart, a sorrow beyond human grasp — for His tears are not mere drops of sorrow but blood, the life poured out for souls who spurn His love. Each painful tear of blood is a silent cry of a God who loves without limit, yet is met with coldness and indifference. How often do these precious tears fall unnoticed, as hearts remain hardened by sin, blind to the immense sacrifice of their Redeemer? Just as He wept over Jerusalem for failing to recognize its time of grace, so He weeps over souls who pass by His Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament, unseeing, unfeeling, oblivious to the Divine Lover hidden before them (cf. Luke 19:41-44).
The painful tears of blood of our Adorable Jesus summon us to a piercing examination of conscience. They reveal the unfathomable agony of a Heart broken by sin — not only by grave offenses but by the daily wounds of neglect, spiritual indifference, and half-hearted devotion. According to CCC 1849-1850, the Catechism reminds us that although sin offends God and damages our relationship with Him, His mercy is ready to heal us if we approach to Him in sincere repentance. These bloody tears are a cry for people to accept a life of repentance and rebirth and to leave behind the numbness of spiritual mediocrity. St. Faustina teaches us that Jesus' mercy is a burning flame, but only those who approach with humility and sorrow for sin will be consumed by its healing fire.
Our Adorable Jesus' painful tears of blood also cry out for reparation. His question — "Who will esteem My painful tears of blood?" — is an appeal for hearts willing to console Him, to stand beside Him in His silent agony. Just as St. Paul speaks of sharing in Christ's sufferings for the sake of His Body, the Church, so too must we enter into this mystery of redemptive love (cf. Colossians 1:24). St. Padre Pio urges us to wipe away the tears of Jesus by offering Him souls — for every sinner converted, every heart turned back to Him, becomes a balm to His wounded Heart. Grieving over His suffering is insufficient; we also need to actively accept our crosses, uniting them with His, and offering them as acts of love.
May we extend an invitation to answer Jesus' appeals with love in our hearts and a genuine desire to console Him. In the Blessed Sacrament, may we, like St. Teresa of Avila, seek His Real Presence by spending time with Him and comforting His heart with our prayers, fasting, and faith.. We become a tiny but priceless consolation to His grieving Heart by deciding to live a life of daily atonement and choosing holiness. Let us treasure His agonizing bloody tears as dazzling pearls of mercy, each serving as an enduring reminder of His unwavering love for every human being.
Prayer:
Oh our Adorable Jesus, broken by the thought of Your painful tears of blood, in Your sorrow, we offer You our hearts, longing to console You for the countless sins against Your love. Strengthen us to live lives of reparation and holiness. May Your painful tears of blood not be shed in vain. May we draw souls back to Your merciful embrace.
Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.