Rock of Peter
|
Solemnity
of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, apostles
Father Edward McIlmail, LC |
Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus went into
the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, "Who do people
say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the
Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said
in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus
said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh
and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say
to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the
gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the
keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Introductory Prayer: Jesus, I believe in You. I believe that You
came into this world to suffer and die to give me a chance at eternal
salvation. I want to draw close to You in this prayer. May this time I spend
with You be an expression of my love.
Petition: Help me, Lord, to enter into a deeper,
personal relationship with You.
1. Identity Crisis: Jesus isn´t interested in what
"others" think of him. He wants to know what I think of him. The
test of any relationship is how committed people are to each other. At some
point a young woman will wonder, how serious is her beau? After a few weeks
of class, a professor wants to know, who are the serious students here? On
the eve of battle a soldier might wonder, can I count on my buddies when the
bullets start flying? Likewise, Our Lord wonders about us. What does Christ
mean to me? Is he just a picture on a holy card? A dimly perceived do-gooder
from the past? Or does he have a real place in my life? He is, after all, the
Second Person of the Trinity who came into the world in order to save us. How
does that truth affect my faith?
2. Heavenly Revelation: Peter professes that Jesus is
the Christ, the Messiah. And Jesus in turn tells him that this knowledge
doesn´t come from the world. It comes from God the Father. Recognition of
Jesus as the Christ involves an act of faith. Throughout history skeptics
have tried to figure out Jesus, using just their reason and tools of
research. But since when do we try to understand the totality of a person
with reason? Learning about another person can often require personal
contact, above all, listening to him or her. Do I try to listen to Jesus in prayer,
in Scripture? Or do I simply try to "figure him out"?
3. Binding and Loosing: Keys were a symbol of
authority. Our Lord had all authority on earth (see Matthew 28:18 and Mark
2:10). Authority implies the ability to delegate it; hence, Jesus gave Peter,
as the first pope, the power to bind and loose, that is, to make disciplinary
rules within the Church. A child who disobeys a licit command from its mother
is committing a sin. Why? Not because Mom is God, but because Mom has
authority from God. Authority, in this case papal authority, is not an
imposition but rather a service. The Pope´s unique authority gives us a sure
guide on moral questions. The Pope doesn´t have the power to make morality
but rather to define authoritatively on issues at hand. How well do I know
papal teaching? Do I make an effort to learn why he teaches as he teaches?
When a difficulty arises, do I consult Church teaching? "Whoever listens
to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me" (Luke 10:16).
Conversation with
Christ: Lord, help me to
love my faith as an expression of my personal relationship with You. Keep me
from ever growing cold in my faith. Grant me a renewed appreciation for the
gift of papal authority.
Resolution: I will read a few paragraphs of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church, for example, a few about the papacy
(880-887, 895, 1559).
Excerpts from the DIARY of
Saint Faustina Kowalska
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].
301 Proclaim that mercy is the greatest
attribute of God. All the works of My hands are crowned with mercy.
341 November 5, 1934. One morning,
when it was my duty to open the gate to let out our people who deliver baked
goods, I entered the little chapel to visit Jesus for a minute and to renew
the intentions of the day. Today, Jesus, I offer You all my sufferings,
mortifications and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, so that he
may approve the Feast of Mercy. But, Jesus, I have one more word to say to
You: I am very surprised that You bid me to talk about this Feast of Mercy,
for they tell me that there is already such a feast[81]
and so why should I talk about it? And Jesus said to me, And who knows
anything about this feast? No one! Even those who should be proclaiming My
mercy and teaching people about it often do not know about it themselves.
That is why I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after
Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know
about it. Make a novena for the Holy Father's intention. It should consist of
thirty-three acts; that is, repetition that many times of the short
prayer-which I have taught you-to The Divine Mercy.
375 Particular interior practice;
that is, the examination of conscience. Self-denial, denial of my own will.
I. The denial of my reason.
Subjecting it to the reason of those who represent God to me here on earth.
II. The denial of my will. Doing the
will of God, which is revealed in the will of those who represent God to me
and which is contained in the rule of our order.
III. The denial of my judgment.
Accepting immediately and without reflection, analysis or reasoning all
orders given by those who represent God to me.
IV. The denial of my tongue. I
will not give it the least bit of freedom; but in one case only I will give
it complete freedom; that is, in proclaiming the glory of God. Whenever I
receive Holy Communion, I will ask Jesus to fortify and cleanse my tongue
that I may not injure my neighbor with it. That is why I have the greatest
respect for the rule which speaks about silence.
378 Once as I was talking with my
spiritual director, I had an interior vision-quicker than lightning-of his
soul in great suffering, in such agony that God touches very few souls with
such fire. The suffering arises from this work. There will come a time when
this work, which God is demanding so very much, will be as though utterly
undone. And then God will act with great power, which will give evidence of
its authenticity. It will be a new splendor for the Church, although it has
been dormant in it from long ago. That God is infinitely merciful, no one can
deny. He desires everyone to know this before He comes again as Judge. He
wants souls to come to know Him first as King of Mercy. When this triumph
comes, we shall already have entered the new life in which there is no
suffering. But before this, your soul [of the spiritual director] will be
surfeited with bitterness at the sight of the destruction of your efforts.
However, this will only appear to be so, because what God has once decided
upon, He does not change. But although this destruction will be such only in
outward appearance, the suffering will be real. When will this happen? I do
not know. How long will it last? I do not know.[89]
But God has promised a great grace especially to you and to all those... who
will proclaim My great mercy. I shall protect them Myself at the hour of
death, as My own glory. And even if the sins of soul are as dark as night,
when the sinner turns to My mercy he gives Me the greatest praise and is the
glory of My Passion. When a soul praises My goodness, Satan trembles before
it and flees to the very bottom of hell.
379 During one of the adorations,
Jesus promised me that: With souls that have recourse to My mercy and with
those that glorify and proclaim My great mercy to others, I will deal
according to My infinite mercy at the hour of their death.
My Heart is sorrowful, Jesus said, because even chosen souls do not understand the greatness of My mercy. Their relationship [with Me] is, in certain ways, imbued with mistrust. Oh, how much that wounds My Heart 1 Remember My Passion, and if you do not believe My words, at least believe My wounds.
491 When I entered the chapel, once again the majesty of
God overwhelmed me. I felt that I was immersed in God, totally immersed in
Him and penetrated by Him, being aware of how much the heavenly Father loves
us. Oh, what great happiness fills my heart from knowing God and the divine
life! It is my desire to share this happiness with all people. I cannot keep
this happiness locked in my own heart alone, for His flames burn me and cause
my bosom and my entrails to burst asunder. I desire to go throughout the
whole world and speak to souls about the great mercy of God. Priests, help me
in this; use the strongest words [at your disposal] to proclaim His mercy,
for every word falls short of how merciful He really is.
642 Palm Sunday. This Sunday, I experienced in a special
way the sentiments of the most sweet Heart of Jesus. My spirit was there
where Jesus was. I saw Jesus riding on a donkey's foal, and the disciples and
a great multitude with branches in their hands joyfully accompanying the Lord
Jesus. Some strewed them before His feet where He was riding, while others
raised their branches in the air, leaping and jumping before the Lord and not
knowing what to do for joy. And I saw another crowd which came out to meet
Jesus, likewise with joyful faces and with branches in their hands, and they
were crying out unceasingly with joy. There were little children there also.
But Jesus was very grave, and the Lord gave me to know how much He was
suffering at the time. And at that moment, I saw nothing but only Jesus,
whose Heart was saturated with ingratitude.
783 + I must be on my guard, especially today, because I
am becoming over-sensitive to everything. Things I would not pay any
attention to when I am healthy bother me today. O my Jesus, my shield and my
strength, grant me Your grace that I may emerge victorious from these
combats. O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself by the power of Your love, that
I may be a worthy tool in proclaiming Your mercy
930 + O my Jesus, although I will go to You, and You will
fill me with Yourself, and that will make my happiness complete, I will
nevertheless not forget about humanity. I desire to draw aside the veils of
heaven, so that the earth would have no doubts about The Divine Mercy. My
repose is in proclaiming Your mercy. The soul gives the greatest glory to its
Creator when it turns with trust to The Divine Mercy.
+ J. M. J.
1002 The Lord's Supper is laid, Jesus sits down at table with His Apostles, His Being all transformed into love, For such was the Holy Trinity's counsel. With great desire, I desire to eat with you, Before I suffer death. About to leave you, love holds Me in your midst. He sheds His Blood, gives His life, for He loves immensely. Love hides beneath the appearance of bread, Departing, He remains with us. Such self-abasement was not needed, Yet burning love hid Him under these species. Over the bread and wine He says these words: "This is My Blood, this is My Body." Although mysterious, these are words of love. Then He passes the Cup among His disciples. Jesus grew deeply troubled within And said, "One of you will betray his Master." They fell silent, with a silence as of the tomb, And John inclined his head on His breast. The supper is ended. Let us go to Gethsemane. Love is satisfied, And there the traitor is waiting.
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.
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.
1104 Today there was a beautiful teaching [by Father Plaza
on the goodness and mercy of God. During this conference my soul experienced
the flames of God's love, and I understood that God's word is a living word.
1142 June 4. Today is the Feast of
the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. During Holy Mass, I was given the knowledge
of the Heart of Jesus and of the nature of the fire of love with which He
burns for us and of how He is an Ocean of Mercy. Then I heard a voice: Apostle
of My mercy, proclaim to the whole world My unfathomable mercy. Do not be
discouraged by the difficulties you encounter in proclaiming My mercy. These
difficulties that affect you so painfully are needed for your sanctification
and as evidence that this work is Mine. My daughter, be diligent in writing
down every sentence I tell you concerning My mercy, because this is meant for
a great number of souls who will profit from it.
1160 When once I asked the Lord Jesus how He could tolerate
so many sins and crimes and not punish them, the Lord answered me, I have
eternity for punishing [these], and so I am prolonging the time of
mercy for the sake of [sinners]. But woe to them if they do not
recognize this time of My visitation. My daughter, secretary of My mercy,
your duty is not only to write about and proclaim My mercy, but also to beg
for this grace for them, so that they too may glorify My mercy.
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.
1298 O God, show me Your mercy
According to the compassion of the Heart of Jesus.
Hear my sighs and entreaties,
And the tears of a contrite heart.
O Omnipotent, ever-merciful God,
Your compassion is never exhausted.
Although my misery is as vast as the sea,
I have complete trust in the mercy of the Lord.
O Eternal Trinity, yet ever-gracious God,
Your compassion is without measure.
And so I trust in the sea of Your mercy,
And sense You, Lord, though a veil holds me aloof.
May the omnipotence of Your mercy, O Lord,
Be glorified all over the world.
May its veneration never cease.
Proclaim, my soul, God's mercy with fervor.
1463 + The Lord also gave me to know that many
bishops were considering the question of this Feast, as well as a certain lay
person. Some were enthusiastic about this work of God, while others regarded
it with disbelief; but in spite of everything, the result was great glory for
the work of God. Mother Irene and Mother Mary Joseph were giving some kind of
a report to these dignitaries, but they were being questioned, not so much
about the work, as about myself.227 As regards the work
itself, there was no doubt, since the glory of God was already being
proclaimed.
1501 + Now that I have difficulty sleeping at night,
because my suffering won't allow it, I visit all the churches and chapels
and, if only for a brief moment, I make an act of adoration before the
Blessed Sacrament. When I return to my chapel, I then pray for certain
priests who proclaim and glorify The Divine Mercy. I also pray for the
intentions of the Holy Father and to obtain mercy for sinners-such are my
nights.
1513 + Jesus said to me today, You often call Me your
Master. This is pleasing to My Heart; but do not forget, My disciple, that
you are a disciple of a crucified Master. Let that one word be enough for
you. You know what is contained in the cross.
1519 + Today before Holy Communion, the Lord said to me, My
daughter, today talk openly to the Superior [Mother Irene] about My
mercy because, of all the superiors, she has taken the greatest part in
proclaiming My mercy. And in fact, Mother Superior came this
afternoon, and we talked about this Work of God. Mother told me that the
images had not come out too well and were not selling very well.
"But," she said, "I have taken a good quantity myself
and am distributing them wherever I can and do the best I can to spread
the Work of Mercy." When she had gone, the Lord gave me to know how
pleasing this soul was to Him.
1521 The Lord said to me, My daughter, do not tire of
proclaiming My mercy. In this way you will refresh this Heart of Mine, which
burns with a flame of pity for sinners. Tell My priests that hardened sinners
will repent on hearing their words when they speak about My unfathomable
mercy, about the compassion I have for them in My Heart. To priests who
proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their
words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak.
1540 January 28, 1938. Today the Lord said to me, My
daughter, write down these words: All those souls who will glorify My mercy
and spread its worship, encouraging others to trust in My mercy, will not
experience terror at the hour of death. My mercy will shield them in that final
battle...
1548 January 30, 1938. One-day retreat.
The Lord gave me to know, during meditation, that as long
as my heart beats in my breast, I must always strive to spread the Kingdom of
God on earth. I am to fight for the glory of my Creator. I know that I will
give God the glory He expects of me if I try faithfully to cooperate with
God's grace.
1680 Low Sunday. Today, I again
offered myself to the Lord as a holocaust for sinners. My Jesus, if the end
of my life is already approaching, I beg You most humbly, accept my death in
union with You as a holocaust which I offer You today, while I still have
full possession of my faculties and a fully conscious will, and this for a
threefold purpose:
Firstly: that the work of Your mercy may spread throughout the whole world and that the Feast of The Divine Mercy may be solemnly promulgated and celebrated. Secondly: that sinners, especially dying sinners, may have recourse to Your mercy and experience the unspeakable effects of this mercy. Thirdly: that all the work of Your mercy may be realized according to Your wishes, and for a certain person who is in charge of this work... Accept, most merciful Jesus, this, my inadequate sacrifice, which I offer to You today before heaven and earth. May Your Most Sacred Heart, so full of mercy, complete what is lacking in my offering, and offer it to Your Father for the conversion of sinners. I thirst after souls, O Christ.
1688 Today, the Lord said to me, My
daughter, look into My Merciful Heart and reflect its compassion in your own
heart and in your deeds, so that you, who proclaim My mercy to the world, may
yourself be aflame with it.
1710 May 26, [1938-Feast of the
Ascension]. Today I accompanied the Lord Jesus as He ascended into heaven. It
was about noon. I was overcome by a great longing for God. It is a strange
thing, the more I felt God's presence, the more ardently I desired Him. Then
I saw myself in the midst of a huge crowd of disciples and apostles, together
with the Mother of God. Jesus was telling them to... Go out into the whole
world and teach in My name. He stretched out His hands and blessed them
and disappeared in a cloud. I saw the longing of Our Lady. Her soul yearned
for Jesus with the whole force of Her love. But She was so peaceful and so united
to the will of God that there was not a stir in Her heart but for what God
wanted.
1749 + God's Infinite Goodness in
Adorning the Whole World with Beauty
in Order to Make Man's Stay on Earth Pleasant. O God, how generously Your mercy is spread everywhere, and You have done all this for man. Oh, how much You must love him, since Your love is so active on his behalf. O my Creator and Lord, I see on all sides the trace of Your hand and the seal of Your mercy, which embraces all created things. O my most compassionate Creator, I want to give You worship on behalf of all creatures and all inanimate creation; I call on the whole universe to glorify Your mercy. Oh, how great is Your goodness, O God!
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-49-50, 301, 341, 375, 378-379, 491)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-II-642, 783, 930)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-III-1002, 1074-1075, 1104, 1142, 1160)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-IV-1256, 1298)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-V-1463, 1501, 1513, 1519, 1521, 1540)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-V-1548)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-VI-1680, 1688, 1692, 1710, 1749)
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