Listen and Learn
August
6, 2014. Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Matthew 17:1-9
Six days later,
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high
mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face
shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there
appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus,
"Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three
dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he
was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the
cloud a voice said, "This is my beloved Son; with him I am well pleased;
listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and
were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up
and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except
Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them,
"Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised
from the dead."
Introductory
Prayer: I come before You, Lord, a sinner in awe of Your great love and mercy.
I believe in You, and I put You at the center of my life. I humbly put all that
I am before You and, like the apostles, recognize my littleness before Your
grandeur. With the help of the Blessed Mother’s intercession, I place this
meditation in Your hands, trusting that You will give me the graces that I need
most.
Petition: Lord, teach me how
to listen to Your voice.
1. Unexpected
Graces: Peter, James and John are privileged to go with Jesus atop the mountain
where he is transfigured before them. What a splendid sight it was: Jesus
conversing with Moses and Elijah before their very eyes. They are beside
themselves and are in awe at what unfolds. This is the way Christ is with each
of us. When we least expect it, he gives us a wonderful dose of his grace to
strengthen us in our walk with him. This privilege, however, isn’t simply for
us to look at and admire; it is a call to respond to his invitation of love.
Jesus was calling these three apostles to a deeper level of love and trust in
him; he is doing so with us, too.
2. Listen to Him: At this sight, the
apostles are awestruck and don’t know what to say. Peter feels compelled to say
something, although it seems he really didn’t know what he was saying. The
question is: Why did he feel as if he had to say something? Often in the
spiritual life, we can struggle with the temptation to say too much. In this
Gospel passage we hear the portentous words of the Father: “This is my son with
whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Christ is calling us to listen
attentively to his words and not to feel compelled to have to say something. He
is looking for a response in action more than in words.
3. Get up. Be Not
Afraid: When his Transfiguration is over, Jesus gets the three apostles up.
This experience of Christ was beyond them. Yet Christ is educating them as to
his true nature, his divine nature. They don’t have to be able to explain it or
understand it fully; they need to act in faith. This is what we are called to
do: act in faith. There is no time for us to be afraid of what the future will
bring. We must get up out of our comfort zones and our attitudes, listen to
Christ, and do as he says in faith. There is so much for us to do and so little
time in which to do it. We need to make use of every instant to learn from the
Lord himself through prayer and the sacraments and to make a real difference in
the world by bringing more souls to know, love and live for Christ.
Conversation with
Christ: Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me and for showing me
how to listen to God and do his will faithfully. I know that I can frustrate
You, putting my two cents in and talking when I should be listening to You. I
need to continue to learn how to listen more attentively to You. Please help me
to be open and docile to You and Your loving messages for me.
Resolution: In my prayer time
today I will dedicate myself to listening to the Lord.
Excerpts from the DIARY of Saint Faustina Kowalska
24 One day, just as I had awakened, when I was putting
myself in the presence of God, I was suddenly overwhelmed by despair. Complete
darkness in the soul. I fought as best I could till noon. In the afternoon,
truly deadly fears began to seize me; my physical strength began to leave me. I
went quickly to my cell, fell on my knees before the Crucifix and began to cry
out for mercy. But Jesus did not hear my cries. I felt my physical strength
leave me completely. I fell to the ground, despair flooding my whole soul. I
suffered terrible tortures in no way different from the torments of hell. I was
in this state for three quarters of an hour. I wanted to go and see the
Directress, but was too weak. I wanted to shout but I had no voice.
Fortunately, one of the sisters [another novice, Sister Placida Putyra] came
into my cell. Finding me in such a strange condition, she immediately told the
Directress about it. Mother came at once. As soon as she entered the cell she
said, "In the name of holy obedience [16] get up from the ground." Immediately
some force raised me up from the ground and I stood up, close to the dear
Mother Directress. With kindly words she began to explain to me that this was a
trial sent to me by God, saying, "Have great confidence; God is always our
Father, even when He sends us trials."
I returned to my duties as if I had come out from the tomb, my senses saturated with what my soul had experienced. During the evening service, my soul began to agonize again in a terrible darkness. I felt that I was in the power of the Just God, and that I was the object of His indignation. During these terrible moments I said to God, "Jesus, who in the Gospel compare Yourself to a most tender mother," I trust in Your words because You are Truth and Life. In spite of everything, Jesus, I trust in You in the face of every interior sentiment which sets itself against hope. Do what You want with me; I will never leave You, because You are the source of my life." Only one who has lived through similar moments can understand how terrible is this torment of the soul.
I returned to my duties as if I had come out from the tomb, my senses saturated with what my soul had experienced. During the evening service, my soul began to agonize again in a terrible darkness. I felt that I was in the power of the Just God, and that I was the object of His indignation. During these terrible moments I said to God, "Jesus, who in the Gospel compare Yourself to a most tender mother," I trust in Your words because You are Truth and Life. In spite of everything, Jesus, I trust in You in the face of every interior sentiment which sets itself against hope. Do what You want with me; I will never leave You, because You are the source of my life." Only one who has lived through similar moments can understand how terrible is this torment of the soul.
28 Once Jesus told me, Go to Mother Superior [probably
Mother Raphael 18] and ask her to let you wear a hair shirt for seven days, and
once each night you are to get up and come to the chapel. I said yes, but I
found a certain difficulty in actually going to the Superior. In the evening
Jesus asked me, How long will you put it off? I made up my mind to tell
Mother Superior the very next time I would see her.
The next day before noon I saw Mother Superior going to the refectory and, since the kitchen, refectory and Sister Aloysia's little room are all close to each other, I asked Mother Superior to come into Sister Aloysia's room and told her of the wish of the Lord Jesus. At that, Mother answered, "I will not permit you to wear any hair shirt. Absolutely not! If the Lord Jesus were to give you the strength of a colossus, I would then permit those mortifications."
I apologized for taking up Mother's time and left the room. At that very moment I saw Jesus standing at the kitchen door, and I said to Him, "You commanded me to ask for these mortifications, but Mother Superior will not permit them." Jesus said, I was here during your conversation with the Superior and know everything. I don't demand mortification from you, but obedience. By obedience you give great glory to Me and gain merit for yourself.
The next day before noon I saw Mother Superior going to the refectory and, since the kitchen, refectory and Sister Aloysia's little room are all close to each other, I asked Mother Superior to come into Sister Aloysia's room and told her of the wish of the Lord Jesus. At that, Mother answered, "I will not permit you to wear any hair shirt. Absolutely not! If the Lord Jesus were to give you the strength of a colossus, I would then permit those mortifications."
I apologized for taking up Mother's time and left the room. At that very moment I saw Jesus standing at the kitchen door, and I said to Him, "You commanded me to ask for these mortifications, but Mother Superior will not permit them." Jesus said, I was here during your conversation with the Superior and know everything. I don't demand mortification from you, but obedience. By obedience you give great glory to Me and gain merit for yourself.
69 +O Jesus, eternal Truth, strengthen my feeble forces; You
can do all things, Lord. I know that without You all my efforts are in vain. O
Jesus, do not hide from me, for I cannot live without You. Listen to the cry of
my soul. Your mercy has not been exhausted, Lord, so have pity on my misery.
Your mercy surpasses the understanding of all Angels and people put together;
and so, although it seems to me that You do not hear me, I put my trust in the
ocean of Your mercy, and I know that my hope will not be deceived.
102 After some time, one of the sisters came into the cell
and found me almost dead. She was frightened and went to find the Directress of
Novices who, in the name of holy obedience ordered me to get up from the
ground. My strength returned immediately, and I got up, trembling. The
Directress recognized immediately the state of my soul and spoke to me about
the inscrutable mercy of God, saying, "Do not be distressed about
anything, Sister. I command this of you in virtue of obedience." Then she
said to me, "I see now, Sister, that God is calling you to a high degree
of holiness; the Lord wants to draw you very close to Himself since He has
allowed these things to happen to you so soon. Be faithful to God, Sister,
because this is a sign that He wants you to have a high place in heaven."
However, I did not understand anything of these words. When I went into the
chapel, I felt as though my soul had been set free from everything, as though I
had just come forth from the hand of God. I perceived the inviolability of my
soul; I felt that I was a tiny child.
105 However, in all these sufferings and struggles, I was
not omitting Holy Communion. When it seemed to me that I should not
communicate, I went, before Holy Communion, to the Directress and told her that
I could not approach the Sacrament, because it seemed to me that I should not
do so. But she would not permit me to omit Holy Communion, so I went, and I
understand now that it was only obedience that saved me.
The Directress herself told me later that my trials had passed quickly, "and this solely because you were obedient, Sister; and it was through the power of obedience that you struggled through this so bravely." It is true that it was the Lord himself who brought me out of this torment, but my fidelity to obedience did please Him.
The Directress herself told me later that my trials had passed quickly, "and this solely because you were obedient, Sister; and it was through the power of obedience that you struggled through this so bravely." It is true that it was the Lord himself who brought me out of this torment, but my fidelity to obedience did please Him.
106 Though these are frightening things, the soul should not
be too fearful, because God will never test us beyond what we are able to bear.
On the other hand, He may never send us such sufferings, but I write this
because, if it pleases the Lord to let a soul pass through such sufferings, it
should not be afraid but, insofar as this depends on the soul itself, it should
remain faithful to God. God will do a soul no harm, because He is Love itself,
and in this unfathomable love has called it into being. However, when I was so
tormented, I myself did not understand this.
113 And again, I would like to say three words to the soul
that is determined to strive for sanctity and to derive fruit; that is to say,
benefit from confession.
First word-complete sincerity and openness. Even the holiest and wisest confessor cannot forcibly pour into the soul what he desires if it is not sincere and open. An insincere, secretive soul risks great dangers in the spiritual life, and even the Lord Jesus Himself does not give Himself to such a soul on a higher level, because He knows it would derive no benefit from these special graces.
Second word-humility. A soul does not benefit as it should from the sacrament of confession if it is not humble. Pride keeps it in darkness. The soul neither knows how, nor is it willing, to probe with precision the depths of its own misery. It puts on a mask and avoids everything that might bring it recovery.
Third word-obedience. A disobedient soul will win no victory, even if the Lord Jesus himself, in person, were to hear its confession. The most experienced confessor will be of no help whatsoever to such a soul. The disobedient soul exposes itself to great misfortunes; it will make no progress toward perfection, nor will it succeed in the spiritual life. God lavishes His graces most generously upon the soul, but it must be an obedient soul.
First word-complete sincerity and openness. Even the holiest and wisest confessor cannot forcibly pour into the soul what he desires if it is not sincere and open. An insincere, secretive soul risks great dangers in the spiritual life, and even the Lord Jesus Himself does not give Himself to such a soul on a higher level, because He knows it would derive no benefit from these special graces.
Second word-humility. A soul does not benefit as it should from the sacrament of confession if it is not humble. Pride keeps it in darkness. The soul neither knows how, nor is it willing, to probe with precision the depths of its own misery. It puts on a mask and avoids everything that might bring it recovery.
Third word-obedience. A disobedient soul will win no victory, even if the Lord Jesus himself, in person, were to hear its confession. The most experienced confessor will be of no help whatsoever to such a soul. The disobedient soul exposes itself to great misfortunes; it will make no progress toward perfection, nor will it succeed in the spiritual life. God lavishes His graces most generously upon the soul, but it must be an obedient soul.
257 Tomorrow I am to leave for
Vilnius. Today, I went to confession to Father Andrasz, this priest who is so
filled with the spirit of God, who untied my wings so that I could soar to the
highest summits. He reassured me in everything and told me to believe in Divine
Providence. "Have confidence and walk ahead with courage." An
extraordinary, divine power came over me after that confession. Father stressed
that I must be faithful to God's grace and said, "No harm will come to you
if, in the future, you continue to keep this same simplicity and obedience.
Have confidence in God; you are on the right path and in good hands, in God's
hands."
359 January 10, 1935. +Thursday. In the evening during
benediction,[85] such thoughts as these
began to distress me: Is not perhaps all this that I am saying about God's
great mercy just a lie or an illusion...? And I wanted to think about this for
a while, when I heard a strong and clear inner voice saying, Everything that
you say about My goodness is true; language has no adequate expression to extol
My goodness. These words were so filled with power and so clear that I
would give my life in declaring they came from God. I can tell this by the
profound peace that accompanied them at that time and that still remains with
me. This peace gives me such great strength and power that all difficulties,
adversities, sufferings, and death itself are as nothing. This light gave me a
glimpse of the truth that all my efforts to bring souls to know the mercy of
the Lord are very pleasing to God. And from this springs such great joy in my
soul that I do not know whether it could be any greater in heaven. Oh, if souls
would only be willing to listen, at least a little, to the voice of conscience
and the voice that is, the inspirations-of the Holy Spirit! I say "at
least a little," because once we open ourselves to the influence of the
Holy Spirit, He himself will fulfill what is lacking in us.
362 +One day, during the morning
meditation, I heard this voice: I myself am your director; I was, I am, and
I will be. And since you asked for visible help, I chose and gave you a
director even before you had asked, for My work required this. Know that the
faults you commit against him wound My Heart. Be especially on your guard
against self-willfulness; even the smallest thing should bear the seal of
obedience.
With a crushed and humbled heart I begged forgiveness of Jesus for these faults. I also begged pardon of my spiritual director and resolved to do nothing rather than to do many things wrongly.
With a crushed and humbled heart I begged forgiveness of Jesus for these faults. I also begged pardon of my spiritual director and resolved to do nothing rather than to do many things wrongly.
365 My spiritual director replaced
it with an interior mortification; namely, throughout Holy Mass I was to
meditate on why the Lord Jesus had submitted to being baptized. The meditation
was no mortification for me, for thinking about God is a delight and not a
mortification; but there was a mortification of the will in that I was not
doing [simply] what I like, but what I was told to do, and it is in this that
interior mortification consists. When I left the confessional and started to
recite my penance, I heard these words: I have granted the grace you asked
for on behalf of that soul, but not because of the mortification you chose for
yourself. Rather, it was because of your act of complete obedience to My
representative that I granted this grace to that soul for whom you interceded
and begged mercy. Know that when you mortify your own self-will, then Mine
reigns within you.
376 My Jesus, I trust that Your
grace will help me to carry out these resolutions. Although the above points
are contained in the vow of obedience, I want to practice these things in a
special way, because this is the essence of the religious life. Merciful Jesus,
I beg You fervently to enlighten my mind so that I may come to know You better,
You who are the Infinite Being, and that I may get to know myself better, who
am nothingness itself.
381 When meditating once on
obedience, I heard these words: In this meditation, the priest [90] is speaking particularly
for you. Know that I am borrowing his lips. I tried to listen most
attentively to everything and to apply everything to my own heart, as in every
meditation. When the priest said that an obedient soul was filled with the
power of God... Yes, when you are obedient I take away your weakness and
replace it with My strength. I am very surprised that souls do not want to make
that exchange with Me. I said to the Lord, "Jesus, enlighten my heart,
or else I, too, will not understand much from these words."
+ J.M.J.
Vilnius, August 12, 1935
Three-day Retreat.
456
On the evening of the introductory day of the retreat, as I listened to the
points for the meditation, I heard these words: During this retreat I will
speak to you through the mouth of this priest to strengthen you and
assure you of the truth of the words which I address to you in the
depths of your soul. Although this is a retreat for all the sisters, I
have you especially in mind, as I want to strengthen you and make you
fearless in the midst of all the adversities which lie ahead. Therefore, listen
intently to his words and meditate upon them in the depths of your soul.
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.
890 Love is a mystery that
transforms everything it touches into things beautiful and pleasing to God. The
love of God makes a soul free. She is like a queen; she knows no slavish
compulsion; she sets about everything with great freedom of soul, because the
love which dwells in her incites her to action. Everything that surrounds her
makes her know that only God himself is worthy of her love. A soul in love with
God and immersed in Him approaches her duties with the same dispositions as she
does Holy Communion and carries out the simplest tasks with great care, under
the loving gaze of God. She is not troubled if, after some time, something
turns out to be less successful. She remains calm, because at the time of the
action she had done what was in her power. When it happens that the living
presence of God, which she enjoys almost constantly, leaves her, she then tries
to continue living in lively faith. Her soul understands that there are periods
of rest and periods of battle. Through her will, she is always with God. Her
soul, like a knight, is well trained in battle; from afar it sees where the foe
is hiding and is ready for battle. She knows she is not alone-God is her
strength.
1006 + O my Lord and God, You
command me to write about the graces You grant me. O my Jesus, were it not for
a clear command from my confessors,[178] that I am to write down what goes on in my
soul, I would not, of my own choice, write a single word. And so, if I do write
about myself, it is at the formal command of holy obedience.
1023 + Today, I received some
oranges. When the sister had left, I thought to myself, "Should I eat the
oranges instead of doing penance and mortifying myself during Holy Lent? After
all, I am feeling a bit better." Then I heard a voice in my soul: My
daughter, you please Me more by eating the oranges out of obedience and love of
Me than by fasting and mortifying yourself of your own will. A soul that loves
Me very much must, ought to live by My will. I know your heart, and I know that
it will not be satisfied by anything but My love alone.
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.
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.
1374 October 30, 1937. Today, during
the religious ceremonies [217] taking place during Mass, and the second
day of thanksgiving, I saw the Lord Jesus in great beauty, and He said to me,
My daughter, I have not released you from taking action. I answered,
"Lord, my hand is too feeble for such work." Yes, I know; but
joined with My right hand you will accomplish everything. Nevertheless, be
obedient, be obedient to the confessors. I will give them light on how to
direct you. "Lord, I already wanted to begin the work in Your Name,
but Father S. keeps putting it off." Jesus answered me, I know this; so
do just what is within your power, but you must never withdraw your efforts.
1378 I felt worse today, and I went
to Mother Superior, intending to ask her for permission to go to bed. However,
before I could ask for permission, Mother Superior said to me, "Sister,
you must somehow manage by yourself at the gate, because I am taking the girl
to work at the cabbage, since there is no one else for the cabbage." I
said-good, and left the room. When I got to the gate, I felt unusually strong,
and I was at my post all day and felt well. I experienced the power of holy
obedience.
1484 O Living Host, support me in
this exile, that I may be empowered to walk faithfully in the footsteps of the
Savior. I do not ask, Lord, that You take me down from the cross, but I implore
You to give me the strength to remain steadfast upon it. I want to be stretched
out upon the cross as You were, Jesus. I want all the tortures and pains that
You suffered. I want to drink the cup of bitterness to the dregs. .
1549 I want to live in the spirit of
faith. I accept everything that comes my way as given me by the loving will of
God, who sincerely desires my happiness. And so I will accept with submission
and gratitude everything that God sends me. I will pay no attention to the
voice of nature and to the promptings of self-love. Before each important
action, I will stop to consider for a moment what relationship it has to
eternal life and what may be the main reason for my undertaking it: is it for
the glory of God, or for the good of my own soul, or for the good of the souls
of others? If my heart says yes, then I will not swerve from carrying out the
given action, unmindful of either obstacles or sacrifices. I will not be
frightened into abandoning my intention. It is enough for me to know that it is
pleasing to God. On the other hand, if I learn that the action has nothing in
common with what I have just mentioned, I will try to elevate it to a loftier
sphere by means of a good intention. And if I learn that something flows from
my self-love, I will cancel it out right from the start.
1557 O Jesus, keep me in holy fear,
so that I may not waste graces. Help me to be faithful to the inspirations of
the Holy Spirit. Grant that my heart may burst for love of You, rather than I
should neglect even one act of love for You.
1570 O Greatly Merciful God,
Infinite Goodness, today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to
Your mercy-to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery
that it cries out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth's
exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our
misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to
You, we implore You: anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your
mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and
at death's hour. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of
our salvation's enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await
Your final coming-that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain
everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is
our Hope: Through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to
heaven.
Conference on Spiritual Warfare.
1760 My daughter, I want to teach you about spiritual warfare. Never trust in yourself, but abandon yourself totally to My will. In desolation, darkness and various doubts, have recourse to Me and to your spiritual director. He will always answer you in My name. Do not bargain with any temptation; lock yourself immediately in My Heart and, at the first opportunity, reveal the temptation to the confessor. Put your self-love in the last place, so that it does not taint your deeds. Bear with yourself with great patience. Do not neglect interior mortifications. Always justify to yourself the opinions of your superiors and of your confessor. Shun murmurers like a plague. Let all act as they like; you are to act as I want you to.
Observe the rule as faithfully as you can. If someone causes you trouble, think what good you can do for the person who caused you to suffer. Do not pour out your feelings. Be silent when you are rebuked. Do not ask everyone's opinion, but only the opinion of your confessor; be as frank and simple as a child with him. Do not become discouraged by ingratitude. Do not examine with curiosity the roads down which I lead you. When boredom and discouragement beat against your heart, run away from yourself and hide in My heart. Do not fear struggle; courage itself often intimidates temptations, and they dare not attack us.
Always fight with the deep conviction that I am with you. Do not be guided by feeling, because it is not always under your control; but all merit lies in the will. Always depend upon your superiors, even in the smallest things. I will not delude you with prospects of peace and consolations; on the contrary, prepare for great battles. Know that you are now on a great stage where all heaven and earth are watching you. Fight like a knight, so that I can reward you. Do not be unduly fearful, because you are not alone.
1760 My daughter, I want to teach you about spiritual warfare. Never trust in yourself, but abandon yourself totally to My will. In desolation, darkness and various doubts, have recourse to Me and to your spiritual director. He will always answer you in My name. Do not bargain with any temptation; lock yourself immediately in My Heart and, at the first opportunity, reveal the temptation to the confessor. Put your self-love in the last place, so that it does not taint your deeds. Bear with yourself with great patience. Do not neglect interior mortifications. Always justify to yourself the opinions of your superiors and of your confessor. Shun murmurers like a plague. Let all act as they like; you are to act as I want you to.
Observe the rule as faithfully as you can. If someone causes you trouble, think what good you can do for the person who caused you to suffer. Do not pour out your feelings. Be silent when you are rebuked. Do not ask everyone's opinion, but only the opinion of your confessor; be as frank and simple as a child with him. Do not become discouraged by ingratitude. Do not examine with curiosity the roads down which I lead you. When boredom and discouragement beat against your heart, run away from yourself and hide in My heart. Do not fear struggle; courage itself often intimidates temptations, and they dare not attack us.
Always fight with the deep conviction that I am with you. Do not be guided by feeling, because it is not always under your control; but all merit lies in the will. Always depend upon your superiors, even in the smallest things. I will not delude you with prospects of peace and consolations; on the contrary, prepare for great battles. Know that you are now on a great stage where all heaven and earth are watching you. Fight like a knight, so that I can reward you. Do not be unduly fearful, because you are not alone.
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-24, 28, 69, 102, 105-106,
257)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-362, 365, 376, 381, 456,
497)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-II-890)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-III-1006, 1023)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-IV-1267, 1312)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-V-1374, 1378, 1484, 1549,
1557, 1570)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-V-1484, 1549, 1557, 1570)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-V-1484, 1549, 1557, 1570)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-VI-1760)
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