Fifteen Minutes in the Company of Jesus

MY CHILD, you need not know much in order to please Me; only love Me dearly. Speak to Me as you would talk to your mother, if she had taken you in her arms.

Have you no one to recommend to Me? Tell Me the names of your relations, of your friends; after each name add what you wish Me to do for them. Ask a great deal: I love generous hearts that forget themselves for others.

Tell Me about the poor whom you want to help, the sick whom you have seen suffer, the sinner whom you would convert, the persons who are alienated from you, and whose affections you wish to win back. For all, recite a fervent prayer.

Have you no favors to ask for yourself? Write, if you like, a long list of all your wishes—all the needs of your soul—and come and read it to Me.

Tell Me simply how self-indulgent you are, how proud, how touchy, how selfish, how cowardly, how idle; ask Me to help you to improve. Poor child—I do not blush! There are in heaven many saints who had the same faults as you.

Do not hesitate to ask for the goods of body and mind—for health, for memory, for success. I can give everything, and I always give when the gifts would make souls more holy.

What do you want today, My child? Oh, if you knew how I long to do you good!

Have you no plans to interest you? Tell Me all about them. Do they concern your vocation? What do you think of? What would you like?

Are you anxious to do a little good for the souls of your friends, for those whom you love and who, perhaps, forget Me?

Confide to Me your failures; I will show you the cause. Whom do you wish to see interested in your work? I am the Master of all hearts, and I lead them gently where I please.

Have you nothing to annoy you? Tell Me your annoyances, with every detail. Who has pained you? Who has wounded your self-love? Who has treated you contemptuously?

Tell Me all—and then say that you forgive and forget; and I will give you My blessing.

Do you dread something painful? Is there in your soul a vague fear which seems unreasonable and yet torments you? Trust fully in My providence. I am here. I see everything. I will not leave you.

Have you no joys to tell Me? Why not confide to Me your pleasures? An unexpected visit, a fear suddenly dispelled, a letter, a present, a trial that left you stronger than you supposed.

All these things, My child, I obtained for you. Why do you not say, “I thank You”? Gratitude draws benefits, and the benefactor loves to be reminded of his bounty.

Have you no promises to make Me? You know I read the very bottom of your heart. Be frank. Men are deceived, but not God.

Are you resolved to avoid that occasion of sin, to give up what leads you astray, and to be kind where you were once impatient?

Well, My child, go now and resume your daily work. Be silent, be honest, be patient, be charitable.

Love My Mother, who is also yours, the Sacred Virgin, and return again tomorrow with a more loving heart, more surrendered to My service.

In My Heart you will find each day new love, new benefits, and new comforts.

Amen.