It is most appropriate to prayerfully reflect upon being held in the holy arms of our God. Understanding the Merciful love of the Father in Heaven through the holy embrace of love reveals to us His fatherly care. Running to the arms of Jesus opens our hearts to His merciful love. But one image that will also be helpful and holy to reflect upon is that of the infant Jesus. Imagine if you were privileged to be present when Jesus was an infant. And imagine if this infant looked at you, reached out His arms and sought to be held by you. And imagine if this infant held you tightly as He rested on your heart. This holy exchange of love will most certainly be understood by parents as they hold their children. Contemplate the profound love and infinite Mercy of God coming to you through this warm and unconditional embrace of a little child. Jesus is reaching out to you, embrace Him and hold Him tightly (See Diary #1442).
Ponder today this beautiful and holy image. But do so by imagining that this infant burns with a holy and pure love for you and longs to be held close to your heart. Resting in your arms you feel the love of this sweet embrace. This is an image of the Love of God and a holy image. Allow your own experiences of holding a child to teach you about the Mercy of God. And express your own love for God through this holy image of a child’s embrace.
My dear Lord, so small and innocent, may I hold You in my heart with an embrace of pure love. May I feel Your Heart beat with mine and Your love poured forth in this sweet embrace. I thank You, Lord, for coming into our world as an infant. May I always treasure this image and be drawn more deeply into love of You every time I hold one of Your precious children. Jesus, I trust in You.
Novena to Saint Jude
For Desperate Situations and Desperate Cases
Prayed anytime of year, especially October 19–27
Featured Image: The Madonna and Child by Anonymous Northern Italian Artist, via Wikimedia Commons
