Ave Maria Meditations
My Lord Jesus Christ, our loving Shepherd, who has given His life for us who are His sheep, would not separate himself from us by death. “My beloved sheep,” He says, “I am always with you; it is for you I have remained on earth and in the Sacrament. Here you find Me whenever you wish, ready to help and console you by My Presence. As long as you are on earth, I shall not leave you.”
(The soul responds): “Since then, You give yourself entirely to me, it is only reasonable that I should give myself entirely to You. You are God. God of love, love of my heart, when shall I find that I belong entirely to you in deed and not in word only? You have the power to bring this about. By the merits of Your Precious Blood, increase my trust in You, so that I may be confident of obtaining from You before I die the grace to belong wholly to You and to be my own in nothing at all.”
“O Lord, You hear the prayers of everyone; here now the prayer of a soul that desires really to love You. I wish to love You with all my strength. I desire to obey You and everything that You wish, without self interest, without cancellation, without reward. I wish to serve You out of love, only to please You, only to contend Your Heart, which loves me so very dearly. To love you will be my reward.”
“O beloved Son of the Eternal Father, take possession of my liberty, of my will, of all that I possess, of my whole self, and give me Yourself. I love You, I long for You, I desire You. My Jesus, make me all Your own.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori
