Episode 2671: Embracing Life with the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”
Embracing Life with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and a Fearless Approach to Death
Today’s episode centers on living a life that prepares us to meet God with joy rather than fear. This theme is beautifully captured by St. Rose of Viterbo, who reminds us:
"Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening but sweet and precious."
St. Rose’s words encourage us to see life as preparation for a holy death. When we live in friendship with Christ, cultivating purity and devotion, we can approach our final moment not with terror, but with peace, knowing we’re moving closer to our true home.
Our ultimate peace and strength come from a deep relationship with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion calls us to open our hearts fully to His love, receiving His mercy and letting that love transform every aspect of our lives. As Fr. John Croiset, a spiritual director known for his profound teachings on the Sacred Heart, outlines:
"There are dispositions necessary for the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. All the dispositions necessary for this devotion may be reduced to four: a great horror of sin, a lively faith, a great desire to love Jesus Christ, and, for those who wish to taste the real sweetness of this devotion and draw all the fruit from it, interior recollection."
These four dispositions and how they can guide us toward a life that’s ready to meet death with confidence and joy.
1. A Great Horror of Sin
The first disposition is to have “a great horror of sin.” Sin separates us from God, and without a deep hatred of sin, our devotion will be shallow and easily disrupted. Just as we avoid anything that could harm our physical health, we must avoid sin, which endangers our soul’s eternal life.
To cultivate this horror of sin, we must consistently examine our conscience, go to confession frequently, and pray for the grace to see sin as God sees it. The Sacred Heart of Jesus was wounded for our sins, and each sin we commit deepens those wounds. When we truly understand this, we’re moved to live a life that honors Christ’s sacrifice and avoids whatever might separate us from Him.
2. A Lively Faith
The second disposition, a lively faith, is essential. Faith isn’t merely intellectual belief but an active, trusting relationship with God. It means relying on His promises, knowing that His love is more real than anything we experience in this world. This faith sustains us through life’s trials, enabling us to trust God even in moments of doubt or suffering.
A lively faith helps us live with eternity in mind. When we have faith that God is real, loving, and waiting for us, we’re able to face death without fear. We see death as a doorway to deeper communion with Him. This vibrant faith nourishes our devotion to the Sacred Heart, reminding us that Christ’s love is ever-present, guiding us through life’s challenges and leading us ultimately to Himself.
3. A Great Desire to Love Jesus Christ
The third disposition is a profound desire to love Jesus. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is ultimately a call to love Him as deeply as He loves us. Jesus desires our hearts, and this devotion invites us to give ourselves fully to Him, not holding anything back.
St. Rose of Viterbo’s words resonate here—when we live to love Christ, we live without fear of death. This desire to love Jesus reorders our priorities, aligning our actions, thoughts, and intentions with His will. We learn to see others with compassion and mercy, forgive those who hurt us, and place Christ at the center of our lives. When our love for Jesus grows, we find ourselves able to say, with joy and anticipation, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
4. Interior Recollection
The fourth disposition is interior recollection, a practice of cultivating silence and focus on God within our hearts. In our busy world, it’s easy to become distracted, letting worries and concerns pull us away from God’s peace. But through recollection, we learn to still our hearts, becoming more aware of Christ’s presence within us.
Interior recollection allows us to savor the sweetness of the Sacred Heart devotion. We can hear God’s voice more clearly, receive His guidance, and feel the love He has for us. This stillness also prepares us to face life’s difficulties with calm and grace, knowing that Christ is with us in every moment. In cultivating this peace, we are ultimately preparing ourselves for the final journey to meet Him.
Living Ready for Death:
When we embrace these four dispositions—rejecting sin, nurturing a vibrant faith, longing to love Jesus, and cultivating interior recollection—we are preparing our souls for eternity. Death loses its sting because we’ve spent our lives building a relationship with the One who will receive us when this life ends. For those who live in such a way, as St. Rose of Viterbo said, death becomes “sweet and precious.”
As we grow in devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we become increasingly aware of His mercy, which washes over our fears and prepares us for that final encounter with confidence. Instead of seeing death as a loss, we see it as the beginning of eternal union with the Sacred Heart that has loved us from all eternity.
Conclusion Prayer:
Let us close with a prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, asking for the grace to live a life of purity, love, and faith that prepares us to meet Him without fear.
Prayer:
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, source of infinite love and mercy, we come before You with hearts full of trust. Grant us a horror of sin, that we may never stray from Your will. Strengthen our faith, that we may always trust in Your promises and live with eternity in mind. Enkindle in us a deep love for You, that we may seek You above all things and share Your love with the world. Grant us the grace of interior recollection, so that we may hear Your voice and dwell in Your peace.

Prepare our souls, O Lord, for the moment we are called home to You. May we live so as to meet You with joy, embracing death as the doorway to union with You. Sacred Heart of Jesus, we trust in Your love and mercy.