SH Novena 5th Day : Saddened Heart

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-37
Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness. And when He saw the crowds, He felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest’.

Meditation:
Jesus is truly a man of the people and seems to be continually amongst them. Apart from those moments, recorded in Scripture, where He goes to a lonely place to pray, He always seems to be with people. This leads Him to a deepened awareness of how lost so many of them are and to a sincere desire that they may not be left unaccompanied or cared for. Do we allow ourselves to be moved to pity, to sorrow, when we encounter the plight of others? How do we respond?

Prayer:
O, Sacred Heart, I know what it is like to feel harassed and dejected.  I know, too, what it means when someone reaches out to me in kindness.  Remind me that labourers in the harvest do not have to be ordained and that You recognise in all of us the gifts and talents You have given us.  Give me the courage today to open my eyes, recognise the needs there and take the necessary steps to reap the harvest.  Amen.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, open our hearts to you.

(spend some quiet time in prayer with Jesus … speak to Jesus… hear Jesus… feel His Presence with you)

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Closing Prayer for each day

Lord Jesus, Your Sacred Heart is always open, with love, to each of us, especially when we are suffering. To all who come to You seeking Your help, You show Your compassion and healing power. You care for us when we are lost, sympathise with us in loneliness and comfort us in mourning; You are closest to us when we are weakest. You reach out Your hand to us when we stumble and have most need of Your help. I ask You to listen to my prayer during this Novena, and grant what I ask. …

If what I ask is not for my own or other’s good, grant me always what is best, that I may build Your kingdom of love in our world.  Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

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