Lord, You know I love You less than any others, but I long and desire to love You more than all the rest. Take my heart, dear Lord, and hide it in Your own, so that I may only love what You love and desire what You desire. May I find no pleasure in the things of this world, its pleasures and amusement; but may my one delight be in thinking of You, working for You, loving You and staying in Your sweet presence before the Tabernacle. Why do You want my love, dear Jesus, and why have You left me no rest all these years till I gave You at last my poor heart to love You, and You alone? This ceaseless pleading for my love fills me with hope and confidence that, sinful as my life has been in the past, You have forgiven and forgotten it all.
Thanks a million times, dearest Jesus, for all Your goodness. I will love and serve You now till death. Amen.
COMMENT: Fr Doyle wrote this prayer in his notes as he reached the end of his long retreat in 1907. It’s simple and direct sentiments require no elaboration.
As we’ve read in other places, God looks to the heart; He knows perfectly all of His children. We can always find rest and comfort in that eternal charity He has for each of us.
Please, Father Doyle, help us to work at possessing a heart that desires to draw closer to God, a heart that will be pleasing to Him, and compassionate towards our neighbor.