Blessed Are You
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Monday of the Tenth
Week of Ordinary Time
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Father Matthew Kaderabek, LC
Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the
crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples
came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for
they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be
satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed
are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted
for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed
are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil
against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will
be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before
you."
Introductory Prayer:
Father of love,
source of all blessings, You have led me throughout my life, and You lead me
still. Thank You for Your paternal care. Jesus, Son of God, You died for me
on the cross to pay for my sins and manifest Your unconditional love for me.
Thank You for showing me the way home to the Father. Holy Spirit, sweet guest
of the soul, You heal me and strengthen me and set me on fire from the most
intimate depths of my soul. Thank You for Your loving presence within me.
Petition: Jesus, help me to love Your beatitudes and
adopt them as my standard for life.
1. A Mountain as a
Cathedra: Let’s imagine
ourselves that memorable day, sitting with the multitudes on a sunny
mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Jesus is preaching to the crowd
from below, using the steep incline as a natural amphitheater. The soft
breeze coming off the water and running up the hillside seems to carry his
gentle voice to all of the hundreds of anxious listeners. We are impressed
that the Teacher, despite the fact that he is authoritatively delivering a
strong message, seems so happy and full of peace. He exudes an interior
freedom that allows him to devote himself entirely to serving God and others.
The world seems to have no hold on him. Listening to Jesus we are drawn to
exclaim, “This man knows what he is talking about." He knows what heaven
is like. He knows firsthand that heavenly blessedness far outstrips any
worldly happiness I could imagine.”
2. Going Against the
Current: It could feel like
we have just heard the most powerful sermon ever delivered, and yet it will
take us a while to digest it all. It was absolutely counter-cultural, even
shocking. And yet, as challenging as it was, it all seemed to ring true in our
hearts. Jesus boldly proposed to us in the Sermon on the Mount a fresh, new
roadmap to true happiness and blessedness. All of us have a deep desire to be
happy and live in peace, and we had thought before that we had it all figured
out. But Jesus’ ways are the very opposite of the ways of the world. He
scorns all false beatitudes which make happiness depend on self-expression,
license, having a good time, or an attitude of “Eat, drink, and be merry for
tomorrow you shall die.” He knows that the results of these false beatitudes
are mental disorders, unhappiness, false hopes, fears and anxieties.
3. Contrasting
Solutions: As the keys to
success and happiness, the world often proposes to us one or more of the
seven deadly sins. We hear the catchwords: “security,” “revenge,” “laughter,”
“popularity,” “getting even,” “sex,” “armed might,” and “comfort.” Jesus,
without batting an eyelash, just turned all of these shallow ideals on their
head, calling them all a dead end. He bravely challenged the spirit of the world
— accepting the fact that such a move would make him very unpopular with
some, and even seal his fate at Calvary. In place of the worldly pleasure
route, he offered us a better way, the only way to true blessedness, as
expressed in the Beatitudes, one that he himself would walk until the day he
died for us. Perhaps these words ring true in my heart…, but am I prepared to
cut the strings that keep me running after the false beatitudes?
Conversation with
Christ: Dear Lord Jesus, You
dwell in heaven with all Your blessed ones. You have called me to be holy.
You have called me to be a saint, blessed and happy. Enlighten my mind today
to know where true happiness lies. Grant that I may desire only this true
happiness and reject all deceiving imitations that the world throws my way.
Resolution: I will get myself back on track to true
happiness by getting to the sacrament of confession this week.
Excerpts from the
DIARY of Saint Faustina Kowalska
845 Before the vigil supper, I entered the
chapel for a moment to break the wafer spiritually with those dear to my
heart. I presented them all, by name, to Jesus and begged for graces on their
behalf. But that wasn't all. I commended to the Lord all those who are being
persecuted, those who are suffering, those who do not know His Name, and
especially poor sinners. O little Jesus, I fervently ask You, enclose them
all in the ocean of Your incomprehensible mercy. O sweet little Jesus, here
is my heart; let it be a little cozy dwelling place for Yourself. O Infinite
Majesty, with what sweetness You drew close to us. Here, there is no dread of
the thunderbolts of the great Jehovah; here, there is the sweet little Jesus.
Here, no soul is afraid, although Your majesty has not lessened, but only concealed
itself. After supper, I felt very tired and was in pain. I had to lie down.
But I kept vigil with the Most Holy Mother, awaiting the arrival of the
little Child.
875 Today, I experienced a great suffering
during the visit of our sisters. I learned of something that hurt me
terribly, but I controlled myself so that the sisters didn't notice anything.
For some time, the pain was tearing my heart apart, but all that is for the
sake of poor sinners.... O Jesus, for poor sinners.... Jesus, my strength, stay
close to me, help me....
885 Jesus, give me the strength and wisdom
to get through this terrible wilderness, that my heart may bear patiently
this longing for You, O my Lord! I always remain in holy amazement when I sense that You are
approaching me, You, the Lord of the awesome throne; that You descend to this miserable
exile and visit this poor beggar who has nothing but misery! I do not know
how to entertain You, my Royal Prince, but You know that I love You with
every beat of my heart. I see how You lower yourself, but nevertheless Your
majesty does not diminish in my eyes. I know that You love me with the love
of a bridegroom, and that is enough for me. Although we are separated by a
great chasm, for You are the Creator and I am Your creature, nevertheless,
love alone explains our union. Without it, all is incomprehensible. Only love
makes it possible to understand these incomprehensible intimacies with which
You visit me. O Jesus, Your greatness terrifies me, and I would be in
constant astonishment and fear, if You yourself did not set me at peace. You
make me capable of communing with You before each approach.
892 Today the Lord gave me to know, in
spirit, about the Convent of Divine Mercy. I saw a great spirit in this
convent, but everything was poor and very scanty. O my Jesus, you are
allowing me to live in spirit with these souls, but perhaps I shall never set
foot there; but may Your Name be blessed, and whatever You have intended, may
it be done.
908 + O Jesus, how sorry I feel for poor
sinners. Jesus, grant them contrition and repentance. Remember Your own
sorrowful Passion. I know Your infinite mercy and cannot bear it that a soul
that has cost You so much should perish. Jesus, give me the souls of sinners;
let Your mercy rest upon them. Take everything away from me, but give me
souls. I want to become a sacrificial host for sinners. Let the shell of my
body conceal my offering, for Your Most Sacred Heart is also hidden in a
Host, and certainly You are a living sacrifice.
Transform me into Yourself, O Jesus, that I
may be a living sacrifice and pleasing to You. I desire to atone at each
moment for poor sinners. The sacrifice of my spirit is hidden under the veil
of the body; the human eye does not perceive it, and for that reason it is
pure and pleasing to You. O my Creator and Father of great mercy, I trust in
You, for You are Goodness Itself. Souls, do not be afraid of God, but trust
in Him, for He is good, and His mercy is everlasting.
912 Then I heard the following words spoken
thus: I want you to be My spouse. Fear pierced my soul, but I calmly
continued to reflect on what sort of an espousal this could be. However, each
time fear would invade my soul, a power from on high would give it peace.
After all, I have taken perpetual vows, and I have taken them of my own
completely free will. And so I continued to reflect on what this could mean.
I sensed, and came to realize, that this was some special kind of grace.
Whenever I think about it, I feel faint for God, but in this swooning, my
mind is clear and penetrated with light. When I am united to Him, I faint
from an abundance of happiness, but my mind is bright and clear and free from
all shadows. You a base Your majesty to dwell with a poor creature. Thank
you, O Lord, for this great grace that makes it possible for me to commune
with You. Jesus, Your Name is my delight, I have a presentiment of my Beloved
from afar, and my languishing soul rests in His embrace; I don't know how to
live without Him. I would rather be with Him in afflictions and suffering
than without Him in the greatest heavenly delights.
920 +There is a woman here [165] who was once one of our students. Naturally, she puts my
patience to the test. She comes to see me several times a day. After each of
these visits I am tired out, but I see that the Lord Jesus has sent that soul
to me. Let everything glorify You, O Lord. Patience gives glory to God. O how
poor the souls are!
927 On these two days, I received Holy
Communion as an act of reparation, and I said to the Lord, "Jesus, I
offer everything today for sinners. Let the blows of Your justice fall on me,
and the sea of Your mercy engulf the poor sinners." And the Lord heard
my prayer: many souls returned to the Lord, but I was in agony under the yoke
of God's justice. I felt I was the object of the anger of the Most High God.
By evening my sufferings had reached such a stage of interior desolation that
moans welled up involuntarily from my breast. I locked the door of my room
and began an adoration; that is to say, a Holy Hour. Interior desolation and
an experience of God's justice-that was my prayer; and the moans and pain
that welled up from my soul took the place of a sweet conversation with the
Lord.
929 When I had rested near His sweetest
Heart, I told Him, "Jesus, I have so much to tell You." And the
Lord said to me with great love, Speak, My daughter. And I started to
enumerate the pains of my heart; that is, how greatly concerned I am for all
mankind, that "they all do not know You, and those who do know You do
not love You as You deserve to be loved. I also see how terribly sinners
offend You; and then again, I see how severely the faithful, especially Your
servants, are oppressed and persecuted. And then, too, I see many souls
rushing headlong into the terrible abyss of hell. You see, Jesus, this is the
pain that gnaws at my heart and bones. And, although You show me special love
and inundate my heart with streams of Your joys, nevertheless, this does not
appease the sufferings I have just mentioned, but rather they penetrate my
poor heart all the more acutely. Oh, how ardently I desire that all mankind
turn with trust to Your mercy. Then, seeing the glory of Your name, my heart
will be comforted."
Jesus listened to these outpourings of my
heart with gravity and interest, as if He had known nothing about them, and
this seemed to make it easier for me to talk. And the Lord said to me, My
daughter, those words of your heart are pleasing to Me, and by saying the
chaplet you are bringing humankind closer to Me. After these words, I
found myself alone, but the presence of God is always in my soul.
934 Small practices for Lent. Although I
wish and desire to do so, I cannot practice big
mortifications as before, because I am under
the strict surveillance of the doctor. But I can practice little things:
first-sleep without a pillow; keep myself a little hungry; every day, with my
arms outstretched, say the chaplet which the Lord taught me; occasionally,
with arms outstretched, for an indefinite period of time pray informally.
Intention: to beg divine mercy for poor sinners, and for priests, the power
to bring sinful hearts to repentance.
936 + A certain person in our ward was
beginning to die. Amidst terrible tortures, she was dying for three days,
sometimes regaining consciousness. Everyone in the ward was praying for her.
I longed to go to her, but Mother Superior had forbidden me to go to visit
the dying, so I prayed for that poor soul in my room. But when I heard that
she was still in agony, and there was no saying how long it was going to
take, I suddenly felt inspired in my soul and said to the Lord, "Jesus,
if all I do is pleasing to You, I ask You, as evidence, to let that soul stop
suffering and pass on immediately to her happy eternity." A few minutes
later I learned that the person had passed away so peacefully and quickly
that they did not even have time to light the candle.
953 + February 15, 1937. Today my suffering
increased somewhat: I not only feel greater pain all through my lungs, but
also some strange pains in my intestines. I am suffering as much as my weak
nature can bear, all for immortal souls, to plead the mercy of God for poor
sinners and to beg for strength for priests. Oh, how much reverence I have
for priests; and I am asking Jesus, the High Priest, to grant them many
graces.
1156 The second is prayer joined to
the act of mercy. In particular, they will defend the souls of children
against the spirit of evil. Prayer and merciful deeds are all that will be
required of these souls, and even the poorest persons can be admitted to
their number. And in this egoistic world they will try to rouse up love, the
mercy of Jesus.
1158 A member of this group ought to perform
at least one act of mercy a day; at least one, but there can be many more,
for such deeds can easily be carried out by anyone, even the very poorest.
For there are three ways of performing an act of mercy: the merciful word, by
forgiving and by comforting; secondly, if you can offer no word, then
pray-that too is mercy; and thirdly, deeds of mercy. And when the Last Day
comes, we shall be judged from this, and on this basis we shall receive the
eternal verdict.
1167 Satan has admitted to me that I am the
object of his hatred. He said that "a thousand souls do me less harm
than you do when you speak of the great mercy of the Almighty One. The
greatest sinners regain confidence and return to God, and I lose everything.
But what is more, you persecute me personally with that unfathomable mercy of
the Almighty One." I took note of the great hatred Satan has for the
Mercy of God. He does not want to acknowledge that God is good.
1274 I experience great torments of
soul when I see God offended. Today I recognized that mortal sins were being committed
not far from our door. It was evening. I prayed earnestly in the chapel, and
then I went to scourge myself. When I knelt down to pray, however, the Lord
allowed me to experience how a soul rejected by God suffers. It seems to me
that my heart was torn to pieces, and at the same time I understood how much
such a soul wounds the most merciful Heart of Jesus. The poor creature does
not want to accept God's mercy. The more God has pursued a soul with His
mercy, the more just will He be towards it.
1282 + When the same poor people come to the
gate a second time, I treat them with greater gentleness, and I do not let
them see that I know they have been here before; [I do this] in order not to
embarrass them. And then they speak to me freely about their troubles and
needs.
Although Sister N. tells me that is not the
way to deal with beggars, and slams the door in their faces, when she is not
there, I treat them as my Master would. Sometimes more is given when giving
nothing, than when giving much in a rude manner.
1309 When I make the Way of the Cross, I am
deeply moved at the twelfth station. Here I reflect on the omnipotence of
God's mercy which passed through the Heart of Jesus. In this open wound of
the Heart of Jesus I enclose all poor humans... and those individuals whom I
love, as often as I make the Way of the Cross. From that Fount of Mercy
issued the two rays; that is, the Blood and the Water. With the immensity of
their grace they flood the whole world....
1312 + Jesus came to the main entrance
today, under the guise of a poor young man. This young man, emaciated,
barefoot and bareheaded, and with his clothes in tatters, was frozen because
the day was cold and rainy. He asked for something hot to eat. So I went to
the kitchen, but found nothing there for the poor. But, after searching
around for some time, I succeeded in finding some soup, which I reheated and
into which I crumbled some bread, and I gave it to the poor young man, who
ate it. As I was taking the bowl from him, he gave me to know that He was the
Lord of heaven and earth. When I saw Him as He was, He vanished from my
sight. When I went back in and reflected on what had happened at the gate, I
heard these words in my soul: My daughter, the blessings of the poor who
bless Me as they leave this gate have reached My ears. And your
compassion, within the bounds of obedience, has pleased Me, and this
is why I came down from My throne-to taste the fruits of your mercy.
1313 O my Jesus, now everything is clear to
me, and I understand all that has just happened. I somehow felt and asked
myself what sort of a poor man is this who radiates such modesty. From that
moment on, there was stirred up in my heart an even purer love toward the
poor and the needy. Oh, how happy I am that my superiors have given me such a
task! I understand that mercy is manifold; one can do good always and
everywhere and at all times. An ardent love of God sees all around itself
constant opportunities to share itself through deed, word and prayer. Now I
understand the words which You spoke to me, O Lord, some time ago.
1487 Jesus: Poor soul, I see that you
suffer much and that you do not have even the strength to converse with me.
So I will speak to you. Even though your sufferings were very great, do not
lose heart or give in to despondency. But tell Me, my child, who has dared to
wound your heart? Tell me about everything, be sincere in dealing with Me,
reveal all the wounds of your heart. I will heal them, and your suffering
will become a source of your sanctification.
Soul: Lord, my sufferings are so great and
numerous and have lasted so long that I become discouraged.
Jesus: My child, do not be discouraged. I
know your boundless trust in Me; I know
you are aware of My goodness and mercy. Let
us talk in detail about everything
that weighs so heavily upon your heart.
Soul: There are so many different things
that I do not know what to speak about first, nor how to express it.
Jesus: Talk to Me simply, as a friend to
a friend. Tell Me now, My child, what hinders you from advancing in holiness?
Soul: Poor health detains me on the way to
holiness. I cannot fulfill my duties. I am as
useless as an extra wheel on a wagon. I
cannot mortify myself or fast to any extent, as the saints did. Furthermore,
nobody believes I am sick, so that mental pain is added to those of the body,
and I am often humiliated. Jesus, how can anyone become holy in such
circumstances?
Jesus: True, My child, all that is
painful. But there is no way to heaven except the
way of the cross. I followed it first. You
must learn that it is the shortest and
surest way.
Soul: Lord, there is another obstacle on the
road to holiness. Because I am faithful to You, I am persecuted and suffer
much.
Jesus: It is because you are not of this
world that the world hates you. First it
persecuted Me. Persecution is a sign that
you are following in My footsteps
faithfully.
Soul: My Lord, I am also discouraged because
neither my superiors nor my confessor
understand my interior trials. A darkness
clouds my mind. How can I advance? All this
discourages me from striving for the heights
of sanctity.
Jesus: Well, My child, this time you have
told Me a good deal. I realize how painful
it is not to be understood, and especially
by those whom one loves and with whom one has been very open. But suffice it
to know that I understand all your troubles and misery. I am pleased by the
deep faith you have, despite everything, in My representatives. Learn from
this that no one will understand a soul entirely-that is beyond human
ability. Therefore, I have remained on earth to comfort your aching heart and
to fortify your soul, so that you will not falter on the way. You say that a
dense darkness is obscuring your mind. But why, at such times, do you not come
to Me, the light who can in an instant pour into your soul more understanding
about holiness than can be found in any books? No confessor is capable of
teaching and enlightening a soul in this way. Know, too, that the darkness
about which you complain I first endured in the Garden of Olives when My Soul
was crushed in mortal anguish. I am giving you a share in those sufferings
because of My special love for you and in view of the high degree of holiness
I am intending for you in heaven. A suffering soul is closest to My Heart.
Soul: One more thing, Lord. What should I do
when I am ignored and rejected by people, especially by those on whom I had a
right to count in times of greatest need?
Jesus: My child, make the resolution
never to rely on people. Entrust yourself
completely to My will saying, "Not as I
want, but according to Your will, O God, let
it be done unto me." These words,
spoken from the depths of one's heart, can
raise a soul to the summit of sanctity in a
short time. In such a soul I delight. Such a soul gives Me glory. Such a soul
fills heaven with the fragrance of her virtue. But understand that the
strength by which you bear sufferings comes from frequent Communions. So
approach this fountain of mercy often, to draw with the vessel of trust
whatever you need.
Soul: Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness in
remaining with us in this exile as the God of mercy and blessing us with the
radiance of Your compassion and goodness. It is through the light of Your
mercy that I have come to understand how much You love me.
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-II-845, 875, 885, 892, 908, 912, 920,
927)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-II-929, 934, 936, 953)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-III-1153, 1158, 1167, 1274, 1282, 1309)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-III-1312, 1313)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska
Notebook-V-1487)
http://www.regnumchristi.org/english/articulos/semanal.phtml?se=363&ca=975&te=866
http://www.saint-faustina.com/Diary/DMIMS10.shtml
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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. (Notebook I-48)
I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My Passion. Call upon My mercy on behalf of sinners; I desire their salvation. When you say this prayer, with a contrite heart and with faith on behalf of some sinner, I will give him the grace of conversion. This is the prayer: "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You."
(Notebook I-186-187)
I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My Passion. Call upon My mercy on behalf of sinners; I desire their salvation. When you say this prayer, with a contrite heart and with faith on behalf of some sinner, I will give him the grace of conversion. This is the prayer: "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You."
(Notebook I-186-187)
Hunyo 10, 2013
Blessed Are You-Divine Mercy Miracles Meditations
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