Our Blessed Lord told St Margaret Mary that He suffered because of the coldness and ingratitude that He received in return for the love that He had shown us. In the devotion to the Sacred Heart, we try to make reparation for the wounds which we and others have inflicted on Jesus by our sins.

At that time, Our Lord was concerned by the lukewarm faith of many in France. Since then, whole countries that were formerly notable for the depth of their Catholic faith, have sadly betrayed Christ by rejecting His teaching, casting Him out of public discourse, passing laws that make a mockery of His care for marriage and the family, and even by enthusiastically passing a popular vote to allow the killing of the unborn.

In response, we must do our utmost to live our Catholic faith not only with loyalty to Our Blessed Lord, but with a burning love for Him, remembering the sacrifice that He offered on the Cross. We may never despair while He desires so earnestly to save us.