# O sweet heart of Jesus
*2015-06-26*

> Bill Young reflects on the life of Blessed Raymond Lull and leads a prayer of dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

## The Life of Blessed Raymond Lull

Today is Friday, June 26th, the feast day of Blessed Raymond Lull. Raymond lived from 1235 to 1315 and grew up in a neighborhood where Christians and Muslims lived side by side. Because of this, his lifelong goal was to convert Muslims to Christianity. He traveled to North Africa multiple times to pursue this mission, though he often met with little success. During his final journey there, he was nearly stoned to death; he managed to reach his ship, but he passed away during the voyage.

## Finding Success in God's Timing

While Raymond may have felt he didn't achieve his goals in the way he intended during his lifetime, he left behind a legacy of great works. This reminds us that we may not always accomplish our goals in the way we think we want to, but eventually, through God's providence, things come to fruition.

## A Prayer to the Sacred Heart

Continuing our dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we pray: O sweet heart of my beloved Jesus, were you not my Savior, I would not dare to come to you. But you are my Savior and my Lord. Your heart loves me with a tender and honored love, as no other heart is capable of loving. I would like to respond to this love which you have for me, and I would like to give my heart to you, who are my only love.

I offer the adoration of the seraphim, the purity of angels, the virgins, and the holiness of the saints who possess and glorify you in heaven. Even if I could offer all of this, it would still not be enough to praise your goodness and your mercy. Therefore, I present to you my poor heart as it is, with all its poverty, weakness, and goodwill. Deign to purify it with the blood of your heart. May you transform it and inflame it with pure and ardent love. In this way, a poor creature that I am, incapable of doing any good by myself, may love and glorify you like the most honored seraphim in heaven.

## A Petition for Holiness

Finally, I beseech you, sweet heart of Jesus, to impart the holiness of your own heart to my soul, or even better, to let my soul enter your divine heart, so that I may love, serve, and glorify you, and dwell in it forever. I ask this grace for all those I love, that they may render glory and honor to you in place of my offenses.

*Even when our earthly goals seem unfulfilled, God uses our efforts to leave a lasting legacy for His kingdom.*