1. The infinite love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus accompanies us through life. Our Lord loved us so much that He gave His life for us; there could not possibly be any greater love than this. “Greater love than this no one has, that one lay down his life for his friends. “ (John 15, 13) The Heart of Jesus beats for us continually and His gaze follows us everywhere, especially when we are in danger or in temptation.
Since Jesus loved us so much that He died for us, it is incredible that He would ever abandon us. Even though He is now happy and beyond suffering in Heaven, He still loves us dearly. But if the Sacred Hart enfolds us now in a close embrace of love, He will certainly protect us in a very special manner at the moment of death, that moment on which depends an eternity of joy or of suffering.
Let us reflect on what happened when Jesus was hanging upon the Cross. He gave us all His love and all His Precious Blood, and with His dying breath He gave us the last treasure He possessed, His Blessed Mother. Omnipotent though He was, He could not give us anything more. He had exhausted His infinite love, giving us merely all that He possessed, but giving us Himself also.
One of the thieves who was being crucified along with Him turned towards Him a look of repentance and of supplication. His Heart was filled with love and mercy and He said to the penitent thief: “This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23, 43) These are comforting words. Some day we also shall be in agony and shall turn to Jesus in our final hour. Then Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist will come to us for the last time. Let us pray earnestly that Viaticum may bring us the same consolation which the words of Jesus gave to the good thief: “This day thou shalt be with me in paradise!”
2. We should particularly ask the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the grace to die a good death, strengthened by Holy Viaticum. Let us picture ourselves in this final hour. The world is fading away and nothing remains of the honours, successes, and pleasures of our past life. There will remain only two things – on one side, the merits which we have obtained by our prayers, penances and good works; on the other side, the sum total of our sins and ingratitude to God. May Jesus come at this moment into our poor hearts, trembling for our sins and lacking in virtue. May Holy Viaticum come to strengthen us. May the white Host bear with it forgiveness, hope, and the purifying flame of love.
Then the infinite love of the Heart of Jesus will be mingled with the weak limited love of our hearts. It will waft us into a state of everlasting happiness, where to love is to possess the boundless joy of God.
3. From a sudden and unprovided death, O Lord, deliver us. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me now and in my last agony. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you. Amen.
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