• The Heart of God-made-man who entered in direct relationship with humanity.
• The Pierced Heart of God – from which the Church was born – robed in divine strength and with a supernatural power that has the life of the souls and of societies within it.  

• Pride: You will know them because they manifest their disdain on all that signifies a prompt, complete and absolute obedience to the decrees and mandates of the Holy See.  They will consider themselves as wiser than the Church (cf. no.5).
• Servility towards the state: They worship civil power, without having the courage to expose that which is contrary to the truth, and they place themselves in the favor of a false liberty (cf. no.3).
• A spirit of division:  This is the most dangerous error because it is hidden behind a veil of charity and of mercy.  They call the children of the Church, antiquated, slow and obstacles to progress (cf. no.4).

• He opposes pride with His profound humility and by becoming little.
• He opposes independence with His obedience: “Obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).
• He opposes servility to the world with His noble and firm generosity. He never bowed down to Caesar to gain favors, and He will never bend to the multitude in order to gain popularity.
• He opposes the spirit of division with His immense charity and ardent zeal for unity. This is illustrated beautifully in His priestly prayer in John 17.  The Heart of Jesus asks for true union; to break it would signify great injury.

Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is His month; never theirs.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THAT THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS, TEACHES

US TO EXERT OURSELVES TO MAKE PROGRESS IN

VIRTUE.

1. The voice of Jesus.—Behold, My Child, I have done all things well. The things which were pleasing to My Father, I did always.
Did I ever stand still in those things, so long as I lived? Now, then, whosoever desires to remain with Me, must also walk as I did walk. For, if he stands still, whilst I am walking, how can he remain with Me ?
My Child, true virtue stands never still in this life: for, if it neglects to make further progress, it is either a failing or lukewarmness.
Let him who is just, be justified still: and let him who is holy, be still sanctified.
How much soever, therefore, any one may have advanced in virtue, he must and can advance still further. For, either something better can be done by a person; or the end of his actions can become purer through love, the object of which is infinite: or the different circuмstances of the actions may be performed in a manner more excellent.
Hence, My Child, if thou examinest thyself with an upright heart, thou shalt find sufficient matter to humble thyself, when thou findest that thou hast often been deficient in some part; and thou shalt have, at the same time, a powerful incentive to make progress for love of Me,—who lovingly approve, and reward in a liberal manner, whatever is good in thy works; who endure, or even pardon, when asked in a contrite manner, that which is defective.

2. Do not measure thy progress by natural facility, or sensible devotion, or any other natural disposition whatsoever: all these things are unreliable and deceitful.
But do thou measure, reliably and safely, thy progress in virtue, by the efforts which thou makest, generously to overcome or deny thyself for love of Me.
Beware, My Child, lest thou be satisfied with virtues merely natural. For these, since they spring from nature, can neither bear everlasting fruits, nor produce flowers of heaven: and, if they put forth any buds, or bear anything, it is only for time, which soon vanishes away.
Every planting which God has not set out; every plant which does not spring from divine grace,—shall be rooted up.
Advance thou toward things more perfect, by means of solid and supernatural virtues, which, sprung from the principle of grace, become strong and perfect by generous and repeated acts,—blossom, and bear fruit exceedingly, for life everlasting.
That which is more perfect in itself, is not always better for thee: but that is ever more useful to thee which proceeds from the divine Will, and, by means of true virtues, helps thee to reach thy end.
Some there are who place progress in multiplying their practices of piety: others make it consist in performing different things. And all these, so far from making any progress, are not rarely wont to go backward; both because perfection does not consist in these things—as they are simply means of perfection; and because, being hindered by the multiplicity and unsuitableness of the means, they are unable to reach the goal.

3. Assuredly, My Child, more perfect in My sight is the simple servant-maid,—who, through love for Me, does that which, according to her state and employment, the divine Will requires,—than the religious person, who, neglectful of the duties of her calling and office, passes days and nights in prayer, or in shedding tears, through feelings of devotion.
If thou desirest to perform thy employment properly, first of all, esteem and love it,—not because it suits thy inclination, but because it is the divine Will, which renders even the least things both excellent and precious. For, unless thou esteemest the same, thou wilt not long love it: if thou dost not love it, thou wilt not long dischargeit properly; because,—when the understanding and will do not help but rather oppose thee,—thou canst not long act and suffer in a befitting manner.
Again, do not have for object,—nor seek in it or by it,—thyself, or the gratifications of nature; but Me, and the fulfillment of My Will.
Moreover, perform all the duties of thy employment, firmly indeed in the action,—being intent on obtaining the end according to the divine good pleasure;—but gently in the manner, remaining ever tranquil in the use of the means.
Lastly, accustom thyself to do all things belonging to it for love of Me; who am present, and ready to direct and help thee in particular circuмstances. Thus thou wilt perform all more easily and securely, and persevere in so doing.
But whether thou fulfillest the obligations of thy state, or appliest thyself to spiritual exercises, let thy chief care be, to do all this well. Here lies the fruitful field of genuine virtues: here is the plentiful harvest of true merits.
If thou neglectest this, remember, that all other extraordinary things are deceitful. Neither miracles, nor prophecies, nor ecstasies, nor other gifts of what kind soever,—shouldst thou possess these,—are able to sanctify thee.

4. My Child, if thou art really solicitous about thy progress, thou must will it efficaciously. For perfection, and progress therein, after grace, cannot come, except from a heart that wills it.
If thy heart do not will efficiently, no means shall ever be able to make thee perfect; thou canst not come to Me by compulsion, but only by affection.
Call to mind, how many Saints, amidst the greatest obstacles, with few outward means, have reached the very hight of virtue; because their heart thirsted unceasingly for perfection.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice; for they shall have their fill! If any one thirsts after this, let him come to My Heart, and drink of the fountain of living water, springing up into life everlasting.
Come, My Child, and taste at this fountain, how pleasant it is to serve Me by love: and as, after tasting honey, all other nourishment seems lacking in sweetness, so, when thou hast once tasted the sweetness of My divine love, all the food of corrupt nature will become bitter to thee.
Pray, My Child, pray fervently, that thou mayst be enlightened from above to understand the exceeding value of perfection; and that thou mayst be enkindled with a ceaseless longing of attaining thereto.
Frequently, also, call to mind, how many, and what powerful incentives urge thee on to greater perfection.

5. The voice of the Disciple.—Which are those, Lord?
The voice of Jesus.—Consider, My Child, who He is, whom thou servest: how lovely, by reason of His infinite perfections,—which ravish the very hearts of the inhabitants of heaven; and thou shalt be aroused to My service, so full of love and sweetness.
Remember the favors of every kind, which I heaped upon thee through pure charity: and, if thy heart has not lost all sense of feeling, thou wilt love Me, in return, with singular gratefulness.
Weigh the enormity and multitude of thy sins, which I pardoned thee, with a Heart so paternal and wilt thou think, after this, that thou canst ever do enough for Me?
Think on the manifold, and continued unhappiness of them, that are lying in sin and lukewarmness; and again, on the unuttered felicity of them that serve Me with fervent love.
Look upon the marvelous beauty of virtue, and the unspeakable ugliness of vice: how the former unites men with Angels, and the latter makes them alike to demons.
Meditate on the shortness of this life, and the eternity of the life to come: the certainty of death, and the uncertainty of its hour.
Ponder, with mind and heart, what it is to be in hell without end: what it means, to be in heaven throughout all eternity: and remember that the one or the other awaits thee.
My Child, if thou dost frequently, and attentively consider these things, so as to keep them ever fresh before thee; thou wilt hasten on to further progress.

6. But in many ways is a person turned away from progress. For the most part, however, he begins to go astray, either because he suffers the love of Me to grow lukewarm in his heart,—by neglecting the fervent practices of an inward life; or because, for the sake of indulging nature, he refuses to overcome or deny himself in some thing.
There are some, who do not, indeed, forsake the road of progress; but who, in various ways, retard their successful career. In this manner do they stand still, who, whilst they should he hastening onward, squander their time, in looking, with self-delight, over the distance which they have already passed.
My Child, forget the things which are behind, being certain to whom thou hast intrusted them: and pass over the remainder of thy journey with unwearied steps.
They, also, are hindered from advancing, who proceed so cautiously, that they appear desirous of examining, at every step, where to set their foot. But, My Child, trust thou rather in Me than in thyself; and, using a reasonable diligence, with a courageous effort of divine love, fly thou forward through every obstacle toward thy end.
They too are kept back, who frighten the imagination, and fetter the heart by future difficulties, which, perhaps, will never occur; so that, through fear and faintheartedness, they hardly dare or can move. My Child, sufficient for the day is the evil thereof: to-day, therefore, advance thou cheerfully: leave the future to-morrow to Me: I will provide.

7. Remember, My Child, that, by the weight of nature, thou art ever prone to a certain inactivity, or indolent repose. Often, therefore, thou must stir up the will by the fervor of the spirit, and take fresh courage.
If thou yieldest to this natural indolence, if thou givest up the efficacious will of perfection, thou wilt no longer perform anything worthy of a Disciple of My Heart: thou shalt begin to grow sluggish, to fall away, to be filled with miseries, and to experience unhappiness.
A soul possessed of a resolute will, fervent and cheerful, acquires in a few months, that degree of virtue, to which a slothful soul, ever in distress and groaning, cannot attain in many years.
My Child, if thou possessest a determined will of always advancing, thou hast reason to rejoice exceedingly. For a good will of this sort, is a manifest proof of the divine friendship. And this is the sweetest and, at the same time, the most solid of all consolations.

8. The voice of the Disciple.— good Master, most sweet Jesus, model of every virtue! I feel wholly confounded, for that I have not yet taken pains to conform myself perfectly to Thee, although I have long made profession of being Thy Disciple.
Have pity on me, Lord; suffer not, I beseech Thee, that I succuмb to lukewarmness, yield to natural indolence, or be impeded by any other hindrance: but arouse me, goad me on, impel me by Thy grace.
Give me the fervor of Thy Heart; kindle in my heart the fire, which Thou earnest to cast on earth that I may love Thee more ardently, that I may be more perfectly conformed to Thee, that I may follow Thee more closely.
Renew me wholly, I entreat Thee; take away my slothful and wretched spirit, and enliven me with Thy Spirit,—the Spirit of an everglowing love, ever cheerful,—that never suffers me to grow sluggish, but urges me on strongly and gently to a more perfect Imitation of Thyself,—who alone art the way and the goal of everlasting bliss.