I have always enjoyed the paintings of Carl Bloch and Gethsemane is one of my favorites. Since I was a child I was intrigued with the thought of an angel consoling Jesus during his agony in the garden. Years later, I heard a priest give a talk explaining that part of Jesus’ agony was carrying the weight and the guilt of all the sins of the world. However, he received strength when he saw all the future souls that would love Jesus and would do their best be faithful to God. That thought always stuck with me.
Another time, I was at confession and the priest talked to me about being a comfort to Jesus. He told me to let my heart be a dwelling place that brings comfort to Christ. I immediately thought of the painting of the angel. It is easy for me to call on Jesus and seek his help but something struck a nerve when the priest told me that I could console the heart of Christ. Since then I have often prayed, “Lord, may I never bring you grief, instead may I be a comfort to your heart.”
I know I have failed miserably numerous times, but today is an especially good reminder that we are all called to be that solace. Whether we are giving our little ones a hug or helping a troubled coworker or sitting before Our Lord in the tabernacle, our love for God and his children brings comfort to Christ.
In these final days of Lent, let us make a special effort to act as that angel in everything we do. Let us be a source of strength and comfort to Jesus in the garden and on his road to Calvary.
Have a blessed Triduum and Easter Sunday! (I won’t be posting again until next week.)
With love,

– I wrote this earlier this morning and then I started cleaning the house. As I was straightening Brian’s desk I saw this book: Consoling the Heart of Jesus. A Do It Yourself Retreat Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius by Fr. Michael Gaitley.





I started thumbing through it and it looks really good and talks about the very things that have been on my mind in regards to consoling the heart of Christ. I think this will be the perfect book for me to read next. (There is also a condensed companion book.)