From the Beginning It Was Not So…
Twenty-Seventh
Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark
10:2-16
Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”.“What did Moses command you?” he replied. They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female. ” [a] ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[b] and the two will become one flesh.’[c] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in
his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Introductory Prayer: Lord God, I believe in Your presence here with
me as I begin this moment of prayer. I hope in You. I know that You will always
take care of me. I want this time with You to be a sign of my love for You. I
seek only to please You, without desiring any spiritual consolation for myself.
Petition: Lord God, fill me with your grace so I can meet Your lofty
expectations.
1. Hardness of Their Hearts: The Pharisees heard Jesus’ teaching against
divorce at the Sermon on the Mount, a teaching which contradicted the practice
of the Jews. And so they sought to trap him in this instance into putting his
teaching in opposition to Moses. They were hoping to discredit him. But Jesus
knew their twisted intentions and grounded his teaching on God’s original plan
for man and woman. He knows that they were looking to get around the will of
God and carve exceptions. Jesus felt no need to pander to the crowd or offer an
easier way out when challenged. His focus was on what God intended. Even today
he challenges everyone to respond.
2. A New Law: Jesus’ teaching seems so counter-cultural, no
less today than in his own time. How can he be so bold and ask for so much,
since we still labor under the same sin, imperfection and hardness of heart as
the people of Moses’ time and his time? The key is that Jesus does not simply
add new laws; he brings the grace to be able to live as God intended “from the
beginning,” that is, before sin entered the world. Christ can ask more of us
because he himself brings the grace for us to live our lives before God in a
new way. By grace we are made “new men (and women) in Christ” and transformed
into children of God who are empowered to live in holiness and the full truth.
3. Never Give Up: The disciples seem to be discouraged at first,
because the new teaching of Jesus is difficult to live: “then it is better not
to marry.” They are seeing things through their own narrow experience and
through the lens of popular opinion. Yet they must make the transforming
encounter with the grace of Christ. We, too, need to believe in that grace and
to communicate it to others, since it enables us to love others “as he loved
us.” It is what brings the vitality and freshness to our Christian lives, and
makes us able to offer something new and hopeful to the world around us.
Conversation with Christ: Jesus, give me the faith and confidence to
believe with all my heart that Your grace is enough for me. Teach me to believe
that Your commands are always supported by Your grace and that I can live as a
new man in You.
Resolution: I will ask for an unbreakable hope in the power of God’s grace
acting in me.
Excerpts from the
DIARY of Saint Faustina Kowalska
6 I am to write [3] down the encounters of my soul with You, O
God, at the moments of Your special visitations. I am to write about You, O Incomprehensible
in mercy towards my poor soul. Your holy will is the life of my soul. I have
received this order through him who is for me Your representative here on
earth, who interprets Your holy Will to me. Jesus, You see how difficult it is
for me to write, how unable I am to put down clearly what I experience in my
soul. O God, can a pen write down that for which many a time there are no
words? But You give the order to write, O God; that is enough for me.
25 During the night, the Mother of
God visited me, holding the Infant Jesus in Her arms. My soul was filled with
joy, and I said, "Mary, my Mother, do You know how terribly I
suffer?" And the Mother of God answered me, I know how much you suffer,
but do not be afraid. I share with you your suffering, and I shall always do
so. She smiled warmly and disappeared. At once, strength and a great
courage sprang up anew in my soul; but that lasted only one day. It seemed as
though hell had conspired against me. A terrible hatred began to break out in
my soul, a hatred for all that is holy and divine. It seemed to me that these
spiritual torments would be my lot for the rest of my life. I turned to the
Blessed Sacrament and said to Jesus, "Jesus, my Spouse, do You not see
that my soul is dying because of its longing for You? How can You hide Yourself
from a heart that loves You so sincerely? Forgive me, Jesus; may Your holy will
be done in me. I will suffer silently like a dove, without complaining. I will
not allow my heart even one single cry of sorrowful complaint."
53 For the present you are coming to
me for confession, but understand, Sister, that you must have a permanent
confessor; that is to say, a spiritual director."
I was very upset by this. I thought that I would get myself free from everything, and it turned out quite the opposite-an explicit command to follow the requests of Jesus. And now, still another torment, as I had no permanent confessor. Even if I went to the same confessor for a certain period of time, I could not open my soul to him in respect to these graces, and this caused me ineffable pain. So I asked Jesus to give these graces to someone else, because I did not know how to make use of them and was only wasting them. "Jesus, have mercy on me; do not entrust such great things to me, as You see that I am a bit of dust and completely inept."
But the goodness of Jesus is infinite; He had promised me visible help here on earth, and a little while later I received it in Vilnius, in the person of Father Sopocko. I had already known him before coming to Vilnius, thanks to an interior vision. One day I saw him in our chapel between the altar and the confessional and suddenly heard a voice in my soul say, This is the visible help for you on earth. He will help you carry out My will on earth.
I was very upset by this. I thought that I would get myself free from everything, and it turned out quite the opposite-an explicit command to follow the requests of Jesus. And now, still another torment, as I had no permanent confessor. Even if I went to the same confessor for a certain period of time, I could not open my soul to him in respect to these graces, and this caused me ineffable pain. So I asked Jesus to give these graces to someone else, because I did not know how to make use of them and was only wasting them. "Jesus, have mercy on me; do not entrust such great things to me, as You see that I am a bit of dust and completely inept."
But the goodness of Jesus is infinite; He had promised me visible help here on earth, and a little while later I received it in Vilnius, in the person of Father Sopocko. I had already known him before coming to Vilnius, thanks to an interior vision. One day I saw him in our chapel between the altar and the confessional and suddenly heard a voice in my soul say, This is the visible help for you on earth. He will help you carry out My will on earth.
56 O my God, I understand well that
You demand this spiritual childhood[32] of me, because You are constantly asking it
of me through Your representatives.
At the beginning of my religious life, suffering and adversities frightened and disheartened me. So I prayed continuously, asking Jesus to strengthen me and to grant me the power of His Holy Spirit that I might carry out His holy will in all things, because from the beginning I have been aware of my weakness. I know very well what I am of myself, because for this purpose Jesus has opened the eyes of my soul; I am an abyss of misery, and hence I understand that whatever good there is in my soul consists solely of His holy grace. The knowledge of my own misery allows me, at the same time, to know the immensity of Your mercy. In my own interior life, I am looking with one eye at the abyss of my misery and baseness, and with the other, at the abyss of Your mercy, O God.
At the beginning of my religious life, suffering and adversities frightened and disheartened me. So I prayed continuously, asking Jesus to strengthen me and to grant me the power of His Holy Spirit that I might carry out His holy will in all things, because from the beginning I have been aware of my weakness. I know very well what I am of myself, because for this purpose Jesus has opened the eyes of my soul; I am an abyss of misery, and hence I understand that whatever good there is in my soul consists solely of His holy grace. The knowledge of my own misery allows me, at the same time, to know the immensity of Your mercy. In my own interior life, I am looking with one eye at the abyss of my misery and baseness, and with the other, at the abyss of Your mercy, O God.
O Divine Sun, in Your rays the soul
sees the tiniest specks of dust which displease You.
72 O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages.
73 O my Jesus, despite the deep night that is all around me and the dark clouds which hide the horizon, I know that the sun never goes out. O Lord, though I cannot comprehend You and do not understand Your ways, I nonetheless trust in Your mercy. If it is Your will, Lord, that I live always in such darkness, may You be blessed. I ask You only one thing, Jesus: do not allow me to offend You in any way. O my Jesus, You alone know the longings and the sufferings of my heart. I am glad I can suffer for You, however little. When I feel that the suffering is more than I can bear, I take refuge in the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and I speak to Him with profound silence.
72 O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages.
73 O my Jesus, despite the deep night that is all around me and the dark clouds which hide the horizon, I know that the sun never goes out. O Lord, though I cannot comprehend You and do not understand Your ways, I nonetheless trust in Your mercy. If it is Your will, Lord, that I live always in such darkness, may You be blessed. I ask You only one thing, Jesus: do not allow me to offend You in any way. O my Jesus, You alone know the longings and the sufferings of my heart. I am glad I can suffer for You, however little. When I feel that the suffering is more than I can bear, I take refuge in the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and I speak to Him with profound silence.
497 O
Eternal Truth, Word Incarnate, who most faithfully fulfilled Your Father's
will, today I am becoming a martyr of Your inspirations, since I cannot carry
them out because I have no will of my own, though interiorly I see Your will
clearly. I submit in everything to the will of my superiors and my confessor. I
will follow Your will insofar as You will permit me to do so through Your
representative. O my Jesus, it cannot be helped, but I give priority to the
voice of the Church over the voice with which You speak to me.
678 The essence of the virtues is the will of God. He who does the will
of God faithfully, practices all the virtues. In all the events and
circumstances of my life, I adore and bless the holy will of God. The holy will
of God is the object of my love. In the most secret depths of my soul, I live according
to His will. I act exteriorly according to what I recognize inwardly as the
will of God. Sweeter to me are the torments, sufferings, persecutions and all
manner of adversities by divine will than popularity, praise and esteem by my
own will.
724 On the
eve of the retreat, I started to pray that the Lord Jesus might give me just a
little health so that I could take part in the retreat, because I was feeling
so ill that I thought perhaps it might be my last. However, as soon as I had
started praying I felt a strange dissatisfaction. I interrupted the prayer of
supplication and began to thank the Lord for everything He sends me, submitting
myself completely to His holy will. Then I felt profound peace of soul. +
Faithful submission to the will of God, always and everywhere, in all events
and circumstances of life, gives great glory to God. Such submission to the
will of God carries more weight with Him than long fasts, mortifications and
the most severe penances. Oh, how great is the reward for one act of loving
submission to the will of God! As I write, my soul is enraptured at the thought
of how much God loves it and of the peace that my soul already enjoys, here on
earth.
954 Today
after Holy Communion, the Lord told me, My daughter, My delight is to unite
myself with you. It is when you submit yourself to My will that you give Me the
greatest glory and draw down upon yourself a sea of blessings. I would not take
such special delight in you if you were not living by my will. O my sweet
Guest, I am prepared for all sacrifices for Your sake, but You know that I am
weakness itself. Nevertheless, with You I can do all things. O my Jesus, I
beseech You, be with me at each instant.
1180 June
[July] 15, 1937. Once, I learned that I was to be transferred to another house.
My knowledge of this was purely interior. At the same time, I heard a voice in
my soul: Do not be afraid, My daughter; it is My will that you should remain
here. Human plans will be thwarted, since they must conform to My will.
1181 When I was close to the Lord,
He said to me, Why are you afraid to begin the work which I have commanded
you to carry out? I answered, "Why do You leave me on my own at such
times, Jesus, and why do I not feel Your presence?" My daughter, even
though you do not perceive Me in the most secret depths of your heart, you
still cannot say that I am not there. I only remove from you the awareness of
My presence, and that should not be an obstacle to the carrying out of My will.
I do this to achieve My unfathomable ends, which you will know of later on.
My daughter, know without doubt, and once and for all, that only mortal sin drives Me out of a soul, and nothing else.
1182 + Today the Lord said to me, My daughter, My pleasure and delight, nothing will stop Me from granting you graces. Your misery does not hinder My mercy. My daughter, write that the greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy; [urge] all souls to trust in the unfathomable abyss of My mercy, because I want to save them all. On the cross, the fountain of My mercy was opened wide by the lance for all souls-no one have I excluded!
1183 O Jesus, I want to live in the present moment, to live as if this were the last day of my life. I want to use every moment scrupulously for the greater glory of God, to use every circumstance for the benefit of my soul. I want to look upon everything, from the point of view that nothing happens without the will of God.
My daughter, know without doubt, and once and for all, that only mortal sin drives Me out of a soul, and nothing else.
1182 + Today the Lord said to me, My daughter, My pleasure and delight, nothing will stop Me from granting you graces. Your misery does not hinder My mercy. My daughter, write that the greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy; [urge] all souls to trust in the unfathomable abyss of My mercy, because I want to save them all. On the cross, the fountain of My mercy was opened wide by the lance for all souls-no one have I excluded!
1183 O Jesus, I want to live in the present moment, to live as if this were the last day of my life. I want to use every moment scrupulously for the greater glory of God, to use every circumstance for the benefit of my soul. I want to look upon everything, from the point of view that nothing happens without the will of God.
1184 On an earlier occasion.
In the evening, I saw the Lord Jesus upon the cross. From His hands, feet and side, the Most Sacred Blood was flowing. After some time, Jesus said to me, All this is for the salvation of souls. Consider well, My daughter, what you are doing for their salvation. I answered, "Jesus, when I look at Your suffering, I see that I am doing next to nothing for the salvation of souls." And the Lord said to me, Know, My daughter, that your silent day-to-day martyrdom in complete submission to My will ushers many souls into heaven. And when it seems to you that your suffering exceeds your strength, contemplate My wounds, and you will rise above human scorn and judgment. Meditation on My Passion will help you rise above all things. I understood many things I had been unable to comprehend before.
In the evening, I saw the Lord Jesus upon the cross. From His hands, feet and side, the Most Sacred Blood was flowing. After some time, Jesus said to me, All this is for the salvation of souls. Consider well, My daughter, what you are doing for their salvation. I answered, "Jesus, when I look at Your suffering, I see that I am doing next to nothing for the salvation of souls." And the Lord said to me, Know, My daughter, that your silent day-to-day martyrdom in complete submission to My will ushers many souls into heaven. And when it seems to you that your suffering exceeds your strength, contemplate My wounds, and you will rise above human scorn and judgment. Meditation on My Passion will help you rise above all things. I understood many things I had been unable to comprehend before.
1199 [July] 29. I am to leave for
Rabka today. I went into the chapel and asked the Lord Jesus for a safe
journey. But within my soul there was silence and darkness. I felt I was all
alone and had no one [to turn to]. I asked Jesus to be with me. Then I felt a
tiny ray of light in my soul as a sign that Jesus was with me but, after this
grace, the darkness and shadows in my soul increased. Then I said, "Your
will be done, for everything is possible to You." When I was on the train
and gazed through the window at the beautiful countryside and the mountains,
the torments of my soul grew even greater. As the sisters welcomed me and began
to surround me with their warmth, my sufferings redoubled.
1200 I would have like to hide and rest for a while in solitude, in a word, to be alone. At such moments, no creature is capable of giving me comfort, and even if I had wanted to say something about myself, I would have experienced new anguish. Therefore, I have kept silent at such moments and submitted myself, in silence, to the will of God-and that has given me relief. I demand nothing from creatures and communicate with them only in so far as is necessary. I will not take them into my confidence unless this is for the greater glory of God. My communing is with the angels [cf. Mt. 18:10; Ex. 23:20].
1200 I would have like to hide and rest for a while in solitude, in a word, to be alone. At such moments, no creature is capable of giving me comfort, and even if I had wanted to say something about myself, I would have experienced new anguish. Therefore, I have kept silent at such moments and submitted myself, in silence, to the will of God-and that has given me relief. I demand nothing from creatures and communicate with them only in so far as is necessary. I will not take them into my confidence unless this is for the greater glory of God. My communing is with the angels [cf. Mt. 18:10; Ex. 23:20].
1202 I could not even go to Holy
Mass or receive Holy Communion today but, amidst the sufferings of body and
soul, I kept on repeating, "May the Lord's will be done. I know that Your
bounty is without limit." Then 1 heard an angel who sang out my whole life
history and everything it comprised. I was surprised, but also strengthened.
1204 A retreat of suffering. O
Jesus, in these days of suffering, I am not capable of any kind of prayer. The
oppression of my body and soul has increased. O my Jesus, You do see that Your
child is on the decline. I am not forcing myself further, but simply submitting
my will to the will of Jesus. O Jesus, You are always Jesus to me.
1205 When I went to confession, I did not even know how to confess. However, the priest [probably Father Casimir Ratkiewicz [205]] recognized the condition of my soul at once and said to me, "Despite everything, you are on the way to salvation; you are on the right path, but God may leave your soul in this darkness and obscurity until death, and the former light may never return. But in all things abandon yourself to the will of God."
1205 When I went to confession, I did not even know how to confess. However, the priest [probably Father Casimir Ratkiewicz [205]] recognized the condition of my soul at once and said to me, "Despite everything, you are on the way to salvation; you are on the right path, but God may leave your soul in this darkness and obscurity until death, and the former light may never return. But in all things abandon yourself to the will of God."
1207 August 10. Today I am returning
to Cracow, in the company of one of the sisters. My soul is shrouded in
suffering. I am continually uniting myself to Him by an act of the will. He is
my power and strength.
1208 May You be blessed, O God, for everything You send me. Nothing under the sun happens without Your will. I cannot penetrate Your secrets with regard to myself, but I press my lips to the chalice You offer me.
1208 May You be blessed, O God, for everything You send me. Nothing under the sun happens without Your will. I cannot penetrate Your secrets with regard to myself, but I press my lips to the chalice You offer me.
1237 O Jesus, what darkness is
enveloping me and what nothingness is penetrating me. But, my Jesus, do not
leave me alone; grant me the grace of faithfulness. Although I cannot penetrate
the mystery of God's visitation, it is in my power to say: Your will be done.
1239 O living Host, O hidden Jesus.
You see the condition of my soul. Of myself, I am unable to utter Your Holy
Name. I cannot bring forth from my heart the fire of love but, kneeling at Your
feet, I cast upon the Tabernacle the gaze of my soul, a gaze of faithfulness.
As for You, You are ever the same, while within my soul a change takes place. I
trust that the time will come when You will unveil Your countenance, and Your
child will again see Your sweet face. I am astonished, Jesus, that You can hide
yourself from me for so long and that You can restrain the enormous love You
have for me. In the dwelling of my heart, I am listening and waiting for Your
coming, O only Treasure of my heart!
1241 + 0 my Jesus, when someone is
unkind and unpleasant toward us, it is difficult enough to bear this kind of
suffering. But this is very little in comparison to a suffering which I cannot bear;
namely, that which I experience when someone exhibits kindness towards me and
then lays snares at my feet at every step I take. What great will power is
necessary to love such a soul for God's sake. Many a time one has to be heroic
in loving such a soul as God demands. If contact with that person were
infrequent, it would be easier to endure, but when one lives in close contact
with the person and experiences this at each step, this demands a very great
effort.
1243 "These times of dryness
and stark awareness of one's wretchedness, which God has permitted, allow the
soul to know how little it can do by itself. They will teach you how much you
should appreciate God's graces. Secondly, faithfulness in all exercises and
duties, faithfulness in everything, just as in times of joy. Thirdly, as
regards the matters in question, be absolutely obedient to the Archbishop
[Jalbrzykowski] although, from time to time, the matter can be brought to his
attention, but peacefully. Sometimes, a little bitter truth is necessary."
At the end of the conversation, I asked the priest to allow me to commune with Jesus as I had done formerly. He answered, "I cannot give orders to the Lord Jesus, but if He himself draws you to himself you may follow the attraction. However, always remember to show Him great reverence, for the Lord is great indeed. If you are truly seeking God's will in all this and desire to fulfill it, you can be at peace; the Lord will not allow any sort of error. As to the mortifications and sufferings, you will give me an account next time of how you carry them out. Place yourself in the hands of the Most Holy Mother."
At the end of the conversation, I asked the priest to allow me to commune with Jesus as I had done formerly. He answered, "I cannot give orders to the Lord Jesus, but if He himself draws you to himself you may follow the attraction. However, always remember to show Him great reverence, for the Lord is great indeed. If you are truly seeking God's will in all this and desire to fulfill it, you can be at peace; the Lord will not allow any sort of error. As to the mortifications and sufferings, you will give me an account next time of how you carry them out. Place yourself in the hands of the Most Holy Mother."
1244 August 15, 1937. During
meditation, God's presence pervaded me keenly, and I was aware of the Virgin
Mary's joy at the moment of Her Assumption. Towards the end of the ceremony
carried out in honor of the Mother of God, I saw the Virgin Mary, and She said
to me, Oh, how very pleased I am with the homage of your love! And at that
moment She covered all the sisters of our Congregation with Her mantle. With
Her right hand, She clasped Mother General Michael to herself, and with Her
left hand She did so to me, while all the sisters were at Her feet, covered
with Her mantle. Then the Mother of God said, Everyone who perseveres
zealously till death in My Congregation will be spared the fire of purgatory,
and I desire that each one distinguish herself by the following virtues:
humility and meekness; chastity and love of God and neighbor; compassion and
mercy. After these words, the whole Congregation disappeared from my sight,
and I remained alone with the Most Holy Mother who instructed me about the will
of God and how to apply it to my life, submitting completely to His most holy
decrees. It is impossible for one to please God without obeying His holy will. My
daughter, I strongly recommend that you faithfully fulfill all God's wishes,
for that is most pleasing in His holy eyes. I very much desire that you
distinguish yourself in this faithfulness in accomplishing God's will. Put the
will of God before all sacrifices and holocausts. While the heavenly Mother
was talking to me, a deep understanding of this will of God was entering my
soul.
1255 "As concerns yourself,
Sister, it is good that you are remaining in a state of holy indifference in
everything that pertains to the will of God, and that you are better
maintaining a state of equilibrium. Please do your best to keep this
equanimity. Now, as regards all these matters, you are to depend exclusively on
Father Andrasz; I am in complete agreement with him. Do nothing on your own,
Sister, but in all matters take counsel from your spiritual director. I beg you
to keep your levelheadedness and as great a calm as possible.One more thing-I
am having printed the chaplet which is to be on the back of the image, as well
as the invocations that resemble a litany; these too will be placed on the
back. Another large image has also been printed, and with it a few pages which
contain the Novena to The Divine Mercy. [208] Pray, Sister, that this be approved."
1256 [August] 30. Reverend Father Sopocko left this morning. When I was steeped in a prayer of thanksgiving for the great grace that I had received from God; namely, that of seeing Father, I became united in a special way with the Lord who said to me, He is a priest after My own Heart; his efforts are pleasing to Me. You see, My daughter, that My will must be done and that which I had promised you, I shall do. Through him I spread comfort to suffering and careworn souls. Through him it pleased Me to proclaim the worship of My mercy. And through this work of mercy more souls will come close to Me than otherwise would have, even if he had kept giving absolution day and night for the rest of his life, because by so doing, he would have labored only for as long as he lived; whereas, thanks to this work of mercy, he will be laboring till the end of the world.
1256 [August] 30. Reverend Father Sopocko left this morning. When I was steeped in a prayer of thanksgiving for the great grace that I had received from God; namely, that of seeing Father, I became united in a special way with the Lord who said to me, He is a priest after My own Heart; his efforts are pleasing to Me. You see, My daughter, that My will must be done and that which I had promised you, I shall do. Through him I spread comfort to suffering and careworn souls. Through him it pleased Me to proclaim the worship of My mercy. And through this work of mercy more souls will come close to Me than otherwise would have, even if he had kept giving absolution day and night for the rest of his life, because by so doing, he would have labored only for as long as he lived; whereas, thanks to this work of mercy, he will be laboring till the end of the world.
1262 September 3. First Friday of
the month. During Holy Mass, I became united with God. Jesus gave me to know
that even the smallest thing does not happen on earth without His will. After
having seen this, my soul entered into an unusual repose; I found myself
completely at peace as to the work in its full extent. God can deal with me as
He pleases, and I will bless Him for everything.
1264 Act of total abandonment to the
will of God, which is for me, love and mercy itself.
Act of Oblation
Jesus-Host, whom I have this very moment received into my heart, through this union with You I offer myself to the heavenly Father as a sacrificial host, abandoning myself totally and completely to the most merciful and holy will of my God. From today onward, Your will, Lord, is my food. Take my whole being; dispose of me as You please. Whatever Your fatherly hand gives me, I will accept with submission, peace and joy. I fear nothing, no matter in what direction You lead me; helped by Your grace I will carry out everything You demand of me. I no longer fear any of Your inspirations nor do I probe anxiously to see where they will lead me. Lead me, O God, along whatever roads You please; I have placed all my trust in Your will which is, for me, love and mercy itself.
Bid me to stay in this convent, I will stay; bid me to undertake the work, I will undertake it; leave me in uncertainty about the work until I die, be blessed; give me death when, humanly speaking, my life seems particularly necessary, be blessed. Should You take me in my youth, be blessed; should You let me live to a ripe old age, be blessed. Should You give me health and strength, be blessed; should You confine me to a bed of pain for my whole life, be blessed. Should you give only failures and disappointments in life, be blessed. Should You allow my purest intentions to be condemned, be blessed. Should You enlighten my mind, be blessed. Should You leave me in darkness and all kinds of torments, be blessed.
From this moment on, I live in the deepest peace, because the Lord himself is carrying me in the hollow of His hand. He, Lord of unfathomable mercy, knows that I desire Him alone in all things, always and everywhere.
1265 Prayer. O Jesus, stretched out upon the cross, I implore You, give me the grace of doing faithfully the most holy will of Your Father, in all things, always and everywhere. And when this will of God will seem to me very harsh and difficult to fulfill, it is then I beg You, Jesus, may power and strength flow upon me from Your wounds, and may my lips keep repeating, "Your will be done, O Lord." O Savior of the world, Lover of man's salvation, who in such terrible torment and pain forget Yourself to think only of the salvation of souls, O most compassionate Jesus, grant me the grace to forget myself that I may live totally for souls, helping You in the work of salvation, according to the most holy will of Your Father....
1266 August 5, [1937]. [209] The Lord let me know how much our dear Mother Superior [Irene] is defending me against... not only by prayer but also by deed. Thank You, Jesus, for this grace. It will not go unrequited in my heart; when I am with Jesus, I do not forget about her.
1267 September 6, 1937. Today, I begin a new assignment. I go from the garden to the desert of the gate. [210] I went in to talk to the Lord for a while. I asked Him for a blessing and for graces to faithfully carry out the duties entrusted to me. I heard these words: My daughter, I am always with you. I have given you the opportunity to practice deeds of mercy which you will perform according to obedience. You will give Me much pleasure if, each evening, you will speak to Me especially about this task. I felt that Jesus had given me a new grace in relation to my new duties; but, despite this, I have locked myself deeper in His Heart.
Act of Oblation
Jesus-Host, whom I have this very moment received into my heart, through this union with You I offer myself to the heavenly Father as a sacrificial host, abandoning myself totally and completely to the most merciful and holy will of my God. From today onward, Your will, Lord, is my food. Take my whole being; dispose of me as You please. Whatever Your fatherly hand gives me, I will accept with submission, peace and joy. I fear nothing, no matter in what direction You lead me; helped by Your grace I will carry out everything You demand of me. I no longer fear any of Your inspirations nor do I probe anxiously to see where they will lead me. Lead me, O God, along whatever roads You please; I have placed all my trust in Your will which is, for me, love and mercy itself.
Bid me to stay in this convent, I will stay; bid me to undertake the work, I will undertake it; leave me in uncertainty about the work until I die, be blessed; give me death when, humanly speaking, my life seems particularly necessary, be blessed. Should You take me in my youth, be blessed; should You let me live to a ripe old age, be blessed. Should You give me health and strength, be blessed; should You confine me to a bed of pain for my whole life, be blessed. Should you give only failures and disappointments in life, be blessed. Should You allow my purest intentions to be condemned, be blessed. Should You enlighten my mind, be blessed. Should You leave me in darkness and all kinds of torments, be blessed.
From this moment on, I live in the deepest peace, because the Lord himself is carrying me in the hollow of His hand. He, Lord of unfathomable mercy, knows that I desire Him alone in all things, always and everywhere.
1265 Prayer. O Jesus, stretched out upon the cross, I implore You, give me the grace of doing faithfully the most holy will of Your Father, in all things, always and everywhere. And when this will of God will seem to me very harsh and difficult to fulfill, it is then I beg You, Jesus, may power and strength flow upon me from Your wounds, and may my lips keep repeating, "Your will be done, O Lord." O Savior of the world, Lover of man's salvation, who in such terrible torment and pain forget Yourself to think only of the salvation of souls, O most compassionate Jesus, grant me the grace to forget myself that I may live totally for souls, helping You in the work of salvation, according to the most holy will of Your Father....
1266 August 5, [1937]. [209] The Lord let me know how much our dear Mother Superior [Irene] is defending me against... not only by prayer but also by deed. Thank You, Jesus, for this grace. It will not go unrequited in my heart; when I am with Jesus, I do not forget about her.
1267 September 6, 1937. Today, I begin a new assignment. I go from the garden to the desert of the gate. [210] I went in to talk to the Lord for a while. I asked Him for a blessing and for graces to faithfully carry out the duties entrusted to me. I heard these words: My daughter, I am always with you. I have given you the opportunity to practice deeds of mercy which you will perform according to obedience. You will give Me much pleasure if, each evening, you will speak to Me especially about this task. I felt that Jesus had given me a new grace in relation to my new duties; but, despite this, I have locked myself deeper in His Heart.
1268 Today I felt more ill, but
Jesus has given me many more opportunities on this day to practice virtue. It
so happened that I was busier than usual, and the sister in charge of the
kitchen made it clear to me how irritated she was that I had come late for
dinner, although it was quite impossible for me to have come sooner. At any
rate, I felt so unwell that I had to ask Mother Superior to allow me to lie
down. I went to ask Sister N. to take my place, and again I got a scolding:
"What is this, Sister, you're so exhausted that you're going back to bed
again! Confound you with all this lying in bed!" I put up with all that,
but that wasn't the end. I still had to ask the sister who was in charge of the
sick to bring me my meal. When I told her this, she burst out of the chapel
into the corridor after me to give me a piece of her mind: "Why on earth
are you going to bed, Sister, etc...... I asked her not to bother bringing me
anything. I am writing all this very briefly because it is not my intention to
write about such things, and I am doing so merely to dissuade souls from
treating others in this way, for this is displeasing to the Lord. In a
suffering soul we should see Jesus Crucified, and not a loafer or burden on the
community. A soul who suffers with submission to the will of God draws down
more blessings on the whole convent than all the working sisters. Poor indeed
is a convent where there are no sick sisters. God often grants many and great
graces out of regard for the souls who are suffering, and He withholds many
punishments solely because of the suffering souls.
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-6, 25, 53-56, 72-73, 497)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-II-678, 954)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-III-1180,-1184, 1199-1200, 1202)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-III-1204-1205, 1207-1208)
(Diary of
Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-IV-1237, 1239, 1241, 1243-1244)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-IV-1255-1256, 1262, 1264-1268)
http://www.saint-faustina.com/Diary/DMIMS10.shtml
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