Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey (1875-1961) was a holy priest with a strong devotion to Jesus’ most Sacred Heart. He was eager that every family should enthrone the Sacred Heart in their homes by installing an image of It with a "ceremonial" that he designed. He even went to Rome, presenting his apostolate for the blessing of the pope. Pope St. Pius X not only encouraged, but commanded Fr. Mateo to give his life for this work - a global crusade making Our Lord the King of every family, focusing especially on His Sacred Heart.

Throughout his life, Fr. Mateo came into contact with all sorts of people. Some of these were great sinners. Others were very devout souls. One child, an eight-year-old girl, was gifted with a very special grace from God. Ever since her fervent First Communion, she was able to see and speak to Jesus as easily and familiarly as if they were a young brother and sister.

One of their conversations was noted especially by Fr. Mateo. He retold it for the benefit and application it holds for everyone.

One day, Jesus asked the child, "Do you really love Me very much?"

It troubled her that He would even ask such a thing, and she promptly replied, "You oughtn’t to ask me that, dear Jesus."

"Why not?"

"Because You know quite well that I have given You my heart and it belongs to You."

To this, He answered gently, "Yes, I know, but I wanted you to tell Me so. Very few people love Me nowadays."

This must have come as a surprise to the sweet little girl who thought that everyone could see and speak to Jesus like she did. In a swell of fervor, she asked Him in turn,

"Is it really true that You, Who are God, can love a little thing like me?"

To her surprise, He used her own words in response, "You ought not to ask Me that."

"Why not?" The little girl replied, worried that she had upset Him.

"Because you know quite well I do. You are My very own, My little apostle, and My Heart belongs to you."

"Well," said the girl, "I knew You loved me, only I wanted You to tell me so Yourself, dear Jesus."

How touching to see God and a young child share something so simple and beautiful in common… the joy of hearing "I love you".

Countless people live their lives without a thought for God. Some do not know Him, others ignore, and even some tragic souls hate Him, doing all in their power to wound Him and lead others astray.

But Jesus loves us all so much that, despite all the pain He receives from so many people, His Heart is constantly yearning to heal and save souls. It is no wonder then that a Heart so tender and so rejected would be deeply touched when that great love is fervently returned.

Now more than ever, may our days be filled with many acts of love for Jesus! Praying that He may help us love Him as He desires, let us bring Him into all that we do. Remember that we do not have to feel our love to be pleasing to Him. His consolation is to see us give our best, even when we feel our weakest. His joy is to help us face the challenges of every day, if we will ask Him. And above all, His great delight is to see in our actions and hear from our lips that simple, beautiful declaration of our hearts: "I love You!"