Sacred Heart of Jesus, help me

Today is the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Just another reminder of the focal point of our existence and our only reason for living.

I'm in another one of those "If I can just make it through the next couple of weeks...'' stretches in my life but this one feels different.

It is one thing to commemorate the devotion that was given by Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque but it will be another thing altogether to be standing where it happened. That is exactly where I will be in just over 3 months.

I say it as one in complete awe of the fact that such a blessing is even possible. Now, as I alluded to before, it appears that I will enter the home stretch of preparation for this trip if I can just navigate the next couple of weeks.

I have uttered that "If, then" conditional to myself countless times in my life but sadly, more often than not, the ''then'' represented nothing more than survival. With this trip, I have dared to dream beyond merely surviving the battle. I have dared to dream of victory.

This victory is not as the world sees victory.

I will seek victory in Fatima, Portugal where 2 little saints- Francisco and Jacinta found it by leaving earth. In Nevers, France, where it was found the same way by Saint Bernadette and in Alba De Tormes, where Saint Theresa of Avila entered eternal life. So many others.

On October 17th, I will reflect on the death of Saint Margaret Mary in the town of Paray Le Monial, France. I will be back home, working, presumably back in the same grind. Yet, I will remember that just about 2 weeks prior, I was there. I was at the place where she left earth to go and be with Jesus. She now is forever before the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I will celebrate her victory and ask her to help me win mine.

Saint Margaret Mary, pray for us.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.