Consecrated in Truth: Authentic Love
Seventh Sunday of
Easter
Father Walter Schu, LC
John 17:11b-19
Lifting up his
eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: "Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. When I was with
them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and
none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the
scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the
world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the
world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I
belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that
you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than
I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you
sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself
for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in You and all that You have revealed for our
salvation. I hope in You because of Your overflowing mercy. Every single act of
Yours on this earth demonstrated Your love for us. Your ascent into heaven
before the eyes of the Apostles inspires my hope of one day joining You there.
I love You and wish You to be the center of my life.
Petition: Mary, help me to be an ardent witness to the truth of Christian love.
1. “So I Sent Them into the World” - Jesus has ascended into heaven. In today’s Gospel,
from the Last Supper, he transmits his mission to his apostles — and to each
one of us. Just how transcendent is this undertaking which Christ places in our
hands? It is nothing less than the eternal salvation of souls. Real, concrete
persons’ eternal destinies are linked to our faithfulness to Christ, to our
Christian witness. Does not such a responsibility make us tremble in our
weakness and sinfulness? How can we hope to live up to such a mission? Yet
Christ invites us to share his joy completely. He does not abandon us in his
ascension, but promises to consecrate us in the Spirit of Truth — the Holy
Spirit, the great advocate in our apostolic mission. May we respond in prayer
to the Church’s liturgy this week as she prepares us to receive the Holy Spirit
on the great feast of Pentecost.
2. “Consecrate Them in the Truth” - Just who is the Holy Spirit, the third person
of the Blessed Trinity, the one who desires to become the gentle guest and
consoler of our soul? The Holy Spirit is the personal love of the Father and
Son for each other. As the liturgy’s second reading reminds us, “God is love”
(1 John 4:16). Only the Holy Spirit can enable us to undergo the journey of
purifying and disciplining “eros” (human love or the love of attraction
– “ascending love”), so that it can be healed and restored to its true grandeur
(cf. Deus Caritas Est, nos. 4-5). If we follow this ascetic path of
renunciation, then eros will in the end merge with “agape” (Christian
love or love which seeks only the good of the other – “descending love”) (cf.
no.7). The love of agape, forged within us by the Holy Spirit, will
impel us to seek the good of souls without counting the cost.
3. “And I Consecrate Myself for Them” - How does Christ consecrate himself?
He does so precisely in his passion and cross. That is why Blessed Mother
Teresa of Calcutta’s saying is ever valid: “Love, to be true love, has to
hurt.” Pope Benedict directly confronts the question of the renunciation
demanded by true love. He asks if the Church doesn’t spoil love. “Doesn’t the
Church, with all her commandments and prohibitions, turn to bitterness the most
precious thing in life?” (Deus Caritas Est, no.3). The answer, of
course, is a resounding “No!” Only the asceticism of Christian chastity
purifies and disciplines love so that it rises above the sensual sphere to
become a truly personal act of self-giving. It is no coincidence that only
natural family planning requires continence, whereas contraception does not.
Are we willing to be hated by the world in standing up for this most
fundamental of the Church’s teachings to preserve authentic love?
Conversation with Christ: Holy Spirit, You are the source of love in my life because You are love
itself. Help me to win all the graces for souls that Christ is asking of me by
consecrating myself in truth — the truth of the cross, renunciation and
purification — to live true love in self-giving, without counting the cost.
Resolution: I will both practice and defend the Church’s teaching on chastity,
especially natural family planning, in order to live authentic Christian love.
Excerpts from the DIARY of Saint Faustina Kowalska
46 I often
felt the Passion of the Lord Jesus in my body, although this was imperceptible
[to others], and I rejoiced in it because Jesus wanted it so. But this lasted
for only a short time. These sufferings set my soul afire with love for God and
for immortal souls. Love endures everything, love is stronger than death, love
fears nothing...
+February
22, 1931
47 In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand [was] raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. In silence I kept my gaze fixed on the Lord; my soul was struck with awe, but also with great joy. After a while, Jesus said to me, Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world.
47 In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand [was] raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. In silence I kept my gaze fixed on the Lord; my soul was struck with awe, but also with great joy. After a while, Jesus said to me, Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world.
48 I
promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also
promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the
hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory.
49 When I
told this to my confessor,[29]
I received this for a reply: "That refers to your soul." He told me,
"Certainly, paint God's image in your soul." When I came out of the
confessional, I again heard words such as these: My image already is in your
soul. I desire that there be a Feast of Mercy. I want this image, which you
will paint with a brush, to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after
Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy.
50 +I
desire that priests proclaim this great mercy of Mine towards souls of sinners.
Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me. The flames of mercy are burning Me
- clamoring to be spent; I want to pour them out upon these souls.
Jesus complained to me in these words, Distrust on the part of souls is tearing at My insides. The distrust of a chosen soul causes Me even greater pain; despite My inexhaustible love for them they do not trust Me. Even My death is not enough for them. Woe to the soul that abuses these [gifts].
Jesus complained to me in these words, Distrust on the part of souls is tearing at My insides. The distrust of a chosen soul causes Me even greater pain; despite My inexhaustible love for them they do not trust Me. Even My death is not enough for them. Woe to the soul that abuses these [gifts].
66 O
inexhaustible treasure of purity of intention which makes all our actions
perfect and so pleasing to God!
O Jesus, You know how weak I am; be then ever with me; guide my actions and my whole being, You who are my very best Teacher! Truly, Jesus, I become frightened when I look at my own misery, but at the same time I am reassured by Your unfathomable mercy, which exceeds my misery by the measure of all eternity. This disposition of soul clothes me in Your power. O joy that flows from the knowledge of one's self! O unchanging Truth, Your constancy is everlasting!
O Jesus, You know how weak I am; be then ever with me; guide my actions and my whole being, You who are my very best Teacher! Truly, Jesus, I become frightened when I look at my own misery, but at the same time I am reassured by Your unfathomable mercy, which exceeds my misery by the measure of all eternity. This disposition of soul clothes me in Your power. O joy that flows from the knowledge of one's self! O unchanging Truth, Your constancy is everlasting!
Vilnius,
October 26, 1934.
87 On Friday at ten minutes to six, when I and some of our wards [38] were coming in from the garden to supper, I saw t he Lord Jesus above our chapel, looking just as He did I the first time I saw Him and just as He is painted in the image. The two rays which emanated from the Heart of Jesus covered our chapel and the infirmary, and then the whole city, and spread out over the whole world. This lasted about four minutes and disappeared. One of the girls, who was walking with me a little behind the others, also saw these rays, but she did not see Jesus, and she did not know where these rays were coming from. She was overwhelmed and told the other girls. They began to laugh at her, suggesting that she was imagining things or that perhaps it was light reflected by a passing airplane. But she persisted in her conviction, saying that never had she seen such rays before. When the others suggested that it might have been a searchlight, she replied that she knew very well what a searchlight was like, but never had she seen rays such as these.
After supper the girl approached me and told me she had been so moved by these rays that she could not keep silent, but wanted to tell everyone about them. Yet she had not seen Jesus. She kept telling me about these rays, and this put me in an awkward situation, as I could not tell her that I had seen the Lord Jesus. I prayed for her, asking the Lord to give her those graces of which she had such need. My heart rejoiced in the fact that Jesus takes the initiative to make Himself known, even though the occasion of such action on His part causes me annoyance. For Jesus, one can bear anything.
87 On Friday at ten minutes to six, when I and some of our wards [38] were coming in from the garden to supper, I saw t he Lord Jesus above our chapel, looking just as He did I the first time I saw Him and just as He is painted in the image. The two rays which emanated from the Heart of Jesus covered our chapel and the infirmary, and then the whole city, and spread out over the whole world. This lasted about four minutes and disappeared. One of the girls, who was walking with me a little behind the others, also saw these rays, but she did not see Jesus, and she did not know where these rays were coming from. She was overwhelmed and told the other girls. They began to laugh at her, suggesting that she was imagining things or that perhaps it was light reflected by a passing airplane. But she persisted in her conviction, saying that never had she seen such rays before. When the others suggested that it might have been a searchlight, she replied that she knew very well what a searchlight was like, but never had she seen rays such as these.
After supper the girl approached me and told me she had been so moved by these rays that she could not keep silent, but wanted to tell everyone about them. Yet she had not seen Jesus. She kept telling me about these rays, and this put me in an awkward situation, as I could not tell her that I had seen the Lord Jesus. I prayed for her, asking the Lord to give her those graces of which she had such need. My heart rejoiced in the fact that Jesus takes the initiative to make Himself known, even though the occasion of such action on His part causes me annoyance. For Jesus, one can bear anything.
294 +Once
the Lord said to me, Act like a beggar who does not back away when he gets
more alms [than he asked for], but offers thanks the more fervently. You too
should not back away and say that you are not worthy of receiving greater
graces when I give them to you. I know you are unworthy, but rejoice all the
more and take as many treasures from My Heart as you can carry, for then you will
please Me more. And I will tell you one more thing: Take these graces not only
for yourself, but also for others; that is, encourage the souls with whom you
come in contact to trust in My infinite mercy. Oh, how I love those souls who
have complete confidence in Me. I will do everything for them.
295 +At that
moment Jesus asked me, My child, how is your retreat going? I answered,
"But Jesus, You know how it is going." Yes, I know, but I want to
hear it from your own lips and from your heart. "O my Master, when You
are leading me, everything goes smoothly, and I ask You, Lord, to never leave
my side." And Jesus said, Yes, I will be with you always, if you always
remain a little child and fear nothing. As I was your beginning here, so I will
also be your end. Do not rely on creatures, even in the smallest things,
because this displeases Me. I want to be alone in your soul. I will give light
and strength to your soul, and you will learn from My representative that I am
in you, and your uncertainty will vanish like mist before the rays of the sun.
296 +O
Supreme Good, I want to love You as no one on earth has ever loved You before!
I want to adore You with every moment of my life and unite my will closely to
Your holy will. My life is not drab or monotonous, but it is varied like a
garden of fragrant flowers, so that I don't know which flower to pick first,
the lily of suffering or the rose of love of neighbor or the violet of
humility. I will not enumerate these treasures in which my every day abounds.
It is a great thing to know how to make use of the present moment.
297 +Jesus,
Supreme Light, grant me the grace of knowing myself, and pierce my dark soul
with Your light, and fill the abyss of my soul with Your own self, for You
alone [...]
298 O my
Jesus, the Life, the Way and the Truth, I beg You to keep me close to You as a
mother holds a baby to her bosom, for I am not only a helpless child, but an
accumulation of misery and nothingness.
+The Mystery
of the Soul. Vilnius, 1934
299 When, on one occasion, my confessor told me to ask the Lord Jesus the meaning of the two rays in the image,[77] I answered, "Very well, I will ask the Lord."
During prayer I heard these words within me: The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls...
These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross.
These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him. I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy.
299 When, on one occasion, my confessor told me to ask the Lord Jesus the meaning of the two rays in the image,[77] I answered, "Very well, I will ask the Lord."
During prayer I heard these words within me: The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls...
These two rays issued forth from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross.
These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him. I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy.
300 +Ask
of my faithful servant [Father Sopocko] that, on this day, he tell the whole
world of My great mercy; that whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day
will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment.
+Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.
+Oh, how much I am hurt by a soul's distrust! Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just, but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness. Even the devils glorify My Justice but do not believe in My Goodness.
My Heart rejoices in this title of Mercy.
+Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.
+Oh, how much I am hurt by a soul's distrust! Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just, but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness. Even the devils glorify My Justice but do not believe in My Goodness.
My Heart rejoices in this title of Mercy.
441 Once,
the image was being exhibited over the altar during the Corpus Christi
procession [June 20, 1935]. When the priest exposed the Blessed Sacrament, and
the choir began to sing, the rays from the image pierced the Sacred Host and
spread out all over the world. Then I heard these words: These rays of mercy will pass through
you, just as they have passed through this Host, and they will go out through
all the world. At these words, profound joy invaded my soul.
1074 When I
went for adoration, I heard these words: My
beloved daughter, write down these words, that today My Heart has rested in
this convent [the Cracow house]. Tell the world about My mercy and My love.
The flames of mercy are burning me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them!
My daughter, do whatever is within your power to spread devotion to My mercy. I will make up for what you lack. Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it -with peace.
Tell [all people], My daughter, that I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls.
The flames of mercy are burning me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them!
My daughter, do whatever is within your power to spread devotion to My mercy. I will make up for what you lack. Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it -with peace.
Tell [all people], My daughter, that I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls.
1075 Souls who spread the honor of My mercy
I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the
hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Savior. At that
last hour, a soul has nothing with which to defend itself except My mercy.
Happy is the soul that during its lifetime immersed itself in the Fountain of
Mercy, because justice will have no hold on it.
1076 Write this: Everything that exists is
enclosed in the bowels of My mercy, more deeply than an infant in its mother's
womb. How painfully distrust of My goodness wounds Me! Sins of distrust wound
Me most painfully.
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-46-50, 66, 294-300, 441)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-III-1073-1076)
http://www.saint-faustina.com/Diary/DMIMS10.shtml
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