Ready or Not?
November 26, 2016.
Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Father Edward Hopkins,
LC
Luke 21:34-36
Jesus said to his
disciples: "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing
and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by
surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face
of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to
escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of
Man."
Introductory Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe in You and in the Kingdom You are building
in and through me. I believe in the value of my sacrifice and struggles united
to Yours. I hope to arrive to heaven when You say it is time. I wish to spend
myself for those I should love the most.
Petition: Rouse my heart, Lord, to live in you!
1. Drowsy Hearts: Our life is a time of preparation, not
only for an eternal friendship with God, but for the “assault” of the
“tribulations” that must come first. The spiritual battle is real, whether or
not we are aware of it, whether or not we want it. We fight each day and in
many ways, but the battle is ultimately won in the depths of our hearts. All
that puts our hearts to sleep and gives us a false sense of security must be
avoided. I may not “carouse and get drunk” in the typical fashion, but do I
wander about seeking satisfaction from the world? Am I superficial in my
judgments? Do I become so engrossed and absorbed in material matters, works and
worries that I am unable to pursue my spiritual life and vocation with a clear
and focused attention?
2. That Day: It seems that none of us will escape the
trial of that last day. For some it will be sudden and painful, for others it
will be prolonged and difficult. But we are all mortal creatures. The great
saints all lived with their end in mind. Death was a healthy meditation that
moved them to live the present day to the full. Death is the door to my real
life. The anticipation of that day need not rob us of joy; rather, it must call
us to love. How I live this day determines how I will live “that day” and the
everlasting day of eternal life with God. How do I want to live that day?
3. Vigilance and
Prayer: This is how
Jesus invited his closest friends, the apostles, to live “that day” of his
Passion: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Matthew
26:41). The final words of the Our Father must find resonance with how we live.
Vigilance requires awareness not only of the enemies and threats that surround
us, but also of the weaknesses within us. These elements are at work each day,
and so we must be on guard each day to check their influence. This must be the
simple and serene priority in our life. But it must always lead us to Christ,
to stand before him sincerely and trustingly in prayer. Prayer and vigilance
lead to each other. If we do not make prayer the air we breathe, we will
suffocate in a polluted world. How much importance am I giving to my habits and
life of prayer?
Conversation with Christ: Grant me, dear Jesus, a sense of urgency. Wake me up from any
drowsiness or spiritual carelessness. Allow me to see both the threats and
opportunities for my life of grace. Keep before my eyes the real meaning of my
life and the limited time I have to conquer and grow in love.
Resolution: I will pray today for the soul in
purgatory who was most distracted or least prepared for “that day” of his
death.
Excerpts from the
DIARY of Saint Faustina Kowalska
36 Once I was summoned
to the judgment [seat] of God. I stood alone before the Lord. Jesus appeared
such as we know Him during His Passion. After a moment, His wounds disappeared
except for five, those in His hands, His feet and His side. Suddenly I saw the
complete condition of my soul as God sees it. I could clearly see all that is
displeasing to God. I did not know that even the smallest transgressions will
have to be accounted for. What a moment! Who can describe it? To stand before
the Thrice-Holy God! Jesus asked me,Who are you? I answered,
"I am Your servant, Lord." You are guilty of one day of fire
in purgatory. I wanted to throw myself immediately into the flames of
purgatory, but Jesus stopped me and said, Which do you prefer, suffer now for
one day in purgatory or for a short while on earth? I replied,
"Jesus, I want to suffer in purgatory, and I want to suffer also the
greatest pains on earth, even if it were until the end of the world."
Jesus said, One [of the two] is enough; you will go
back to earth, and there you will suffer much, but not for long; you will
accomplish My will and My desires, and a faithful servant of Mine will help you
to do this. Now, rest your head on My bosom, on My heart, and draw from it
strength and power for these sufferings, because you will find neither relief nor
help nor comfort anywhere else. Know that you will have much, much to suffer,
but don't let this frighten you; I am with you.
83 Write this:
before I come as the just Judge, I am coming first as the King of Mercy. Before
the day of justice arrives, there will be given to people a sign in the heavens
of this sort: All light in the heavens will be extinguished, and there will be
great darkness over the whole earth. Then the sign of the cross will be seen in
the sky, and from the openings where the hands and the feet of the Savior were
nailed will come forth great lights which will light up the earth for a period
of time. This will take place shortly before the last day.
374 J.M.J Vilnius,
Februrary 4, 1935
[page in the Dairy with the words "From today on my will does not exist" crossed out with a large 'X']
The moment I knelt down to cross out my own will, as the Lord had bid me to do, I heard this voice in my soul:From today on, do not fear God's judgment, for you will not be judged
[The next page has...]
J.M.J Vilnius, February 4, 1935
[page in the Dairy with the words "From today on my will does not exist" crossed out with a large 'X']
The moment I knelt down to cross out my own will, as the Lord had bid me to do, I heard this voice in my soul:From today on, do not fear God's judgment, for you will not be judged
[The next page has...]
J.M.J Vilnius, February 4, 1935
496 Confession Day.
From early morning, the turmoil in my soul was more violent than anything I had
ever experienced before. Complete abandonment by God; I felt the utter weakness
that I was. Thoughts bore in upon me: why should I leave this convent where I
am loved by the sisters and superiors, where life is so tranquil; [where I am]
bound by perpetual vows and carry out my duties without difficulty; why should
I listen to the voice of my conscience; why follow an inspiration coming from
who knows where; wouldn't it be better to carry on like all the other sisters?
Perhaps the Lord's words could be stifled, not taken heed of; maybe God will
not demand an account of them on the day of judgment. Where will this inner
voice lead me? If I follow it, what tremendous difficulties, tribulations and
adversities are in store for me. I fear the future, and I am agonizing in the
present.
This suffering continued with the same intensity throughout the whole day. When, in the evening, my turn came for confession, I could not make a full confession, even though I had been preparing for a long time. I received absolution and left, not knowing what was going on within me. When I went to bed, the suffering grew even worse; or rather, it changed into a fire which penetrated all the faculties of my soul like lightning, piercing me to the marrow, and to the most secret recesses of my heart. In the midst of this suffering, I was unable to bring myself to do anything. "Your will be done, Lord." At times I could not even think these words. Truly, a deadly fear had taken hold of me, and the flames of hell were touching me. Toward morning, silence set in, and my tribulations disappeared in the twinkling of an eye, but I felt so frightfully exhausted that I could not even move. During my conversation with Mother Superior, my strength returned bit by bit, but God alone knows how I felt throughout that whole day.
This suffering continued with the same intensity throughout the whole day. When, in the evening, my turn came for confession, I could not make a full confession, even though I had been preparing for a long time. I received absolution and left, not knowing what was going on within me. When I went to bed, the suffering grew even worse; or rather, it changed into a fire which penetrated all the faculties of my soul like lightning, piercing me to the marrow, and to the most secret recesses of my heart. In the midst of this suffering, I was unable to bring myself to do anything. "Your will be done, Lord." At times I could not even think these words. Truly, a deadly fear had taken hold of me, and the flames of hell were touching me. Toward morning, silence set in, and my tribulations disappeared in the twinkling of an eye, but I felt so frightfully exhausted that I could not even move. During my conversation with Mother Superior, my strength returned bit by bit, but God alone knows how I felt throughout that whole day.
625 In the evening,
when I was praying, the Mother of God told me, Your lives must be like Mine:
quiet and hidden, in unceasing union with God, pleading for humanity and
preparing the world for the second coming of God
635 March 25. In the
morning, during meditation, God's presence enveloped me in a special way, as I
saw the immeasurable greatness of God and, at the same time, His condescension
to His creatures. Then I saw the Mother of God, who said to me, Oh, how
pleasing to God is the soul that follows faithfully the inspirations of His
grace! I gave the Savior to the world; as for you, you have to speak to the
world about His great mercy and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Him
who will come, not as a merciful Savior, but as a just Judge. Oh, how terrible
is that day! Determined is the day of justice, the day of divine wrath. The angels
tremble before it. Speak to souls about this great mercy while it is still the
time for [granting] mercy. If you keep silent now, you will be answering for a
great number of souls on that terrible day. Fear nothing. Be faithful to the
end. I sympathize with you.
660 O my Jesus, on the
day of the last judgment, You will demand from me an account of this work of
mercy. O just Judge, but my Spouse as well, help me to do Your holy will. O
mercy, O divine virtue!
O most merciful Heart of Jesus, my Betrothed, make my heart like unto Yours.
O most merciful Heart of Jesus, my Betrothed, make my heart like unto Yours.
793 I am reliving
these moments with Our Lady. With great longing, I am waiting for the Lord's
coming. Great are my desires. I desire that all humankind come to know the
Lord. I would like to prepare all nations for the coming of the Word Incarnate.
O Jesus, make the fount of Your mercy gush forth more abundantly, for humankind
is seriously ill and thus has more need than ever of Your compassion. You are a
bottomless sea of mercy for us sinners; and the greater the misery, the more
right we have to Your mercy. You are a fount which makes all creatures happy by
Your infinite mercy.
825 + O bright and
clear day on which all my dreams will be fulfilled; O day so eagerly desired,
the last day of my life! I look forward with joy to the last stroke the Divine
Artist will trace on my soul, which will give my soul a unique beauty that will
distinguish me from the beauty of other souls. O great day, on which divine
love will be confirmed in me. On that day, for the first time, I shall sing
before heaven and earth the song of the Lord's fathomless mercy. This is my
work and the mission which the Lord has destined for me from the beginning of
the world. That the song of my soul may be pleasing to the Holy Trinity, do
You, O Spirit of God, direct and form my soul yourself. I arm myself with
patience and await Your coming, O merciful God, and as to the terrible pains
and fear of death, at this moment more than at any other time, I trust in the
abyss of Your mercy and am reminding You, O merciful Jesus, sweet Savior, of
all the promises You have made to me.
840 December 23,
[1936]. I am spending this time with the Mother of God and preparing myself for
the solemn moment of the coming of the Lord Jesus. The Mother of God is
instructing me in the interior life of the soul with Jesus, especially in Holy
Communion. It is only in eternity that we shall know the great mystery effected
in us by Holy Communion. O most precious moments of my life!
895 January 23,
[1937]. I did not feel like writing today. Then I heard a voice in my
soul: My daughter, you do not live for yourself but for souls; write
for their benefit. You know that My will as to your writing has been confirmed
many times by your confessors. You know what is pleasing to Me, and if you have
any doubts about what I am saying, you also know whom you are to ask. I grant
him light to pronounce judgment on my case. My eye watches over him. My
daughter, you are to be like a child towards him, full of simplicity and
candor. Put his judgment above all My demands. He will guide you according to
My will. If he doesn't allow you to carry out My demands, be at peace; I will
not judge you, but the matter will remain between Me and him. You are to be
obedient.
1074 When I went for
adoration, I heard these words: My beloved daughter, write down these
words, that today My Heart has rested in this convent [the Cracow
house]. Tell the world about My mercy and My love.
The flames of mercy are burning me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them!
My daughter, do whatever is within your power to spread devotion to My mercy. I will make up for what you lack. Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it -with peace.
Tell [all people], My daughter, that I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls.
The flames of mercy are burning me. I desire to pour them out upon human souls. Oh, what pain they cause Me when they do not want to accept them!
My daughter, do whatever is within your power to spread devotion to My mercy. I will make up for what you lack. Tell aching mankind to snuggle close to My merciful Heart, and I will fill it -with peace.
Tell [all people], My daughter, that I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls.
1075 Souls who
spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender
mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but
the Merciful Savior. At that last hour, a soul has nothing with which to defend
itself except My mercy. Happy is the soul that during its lifetime immersed
itself in the Fountain of Mercy, because justice will have no hold on it.
1076 Write this: Everything that exists is enclosed in the bowels of My mercy, more deeply than an infant in its mother's womb. How painfully distrust of My goodness wounds Me! Sins of distrust wound Me most painfully.
1076 Write this: Everything that exists is enclosed in the bowels of My mercy, more deeply than an infant in its mother's womb. How painfully distrust of My goodness wounds Me! Sins of distrust wound Me most painfully.
+ Particular Examen
Union with the merciful Christ. With my heart I encompass the whole world, especially countries which are uncivilized or where there is persecution. I am praying for mercy upon them.
1317 I understand Your words, Lord, and the magnitude of the mercy that ought to shine in my soul. Jesus: I know, My daughter, that you understand it and that you do everything within your power. But write this for the many souls who are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul. If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy.
Union with the merciful Christ. With my heart I encompass the whole world, especially countries which are uncivilized or where there is persecution. I am praying for mercy upon them.
1317 I understand Your words, Lord, and the magnitude of the mercy that ought to shine in my soul. Jesus: I know, My daughter, that you understand it and that you do everything within your power. But write this for the many souls who are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul. If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy.
1339 O merciful God,
You do not despise us, but lavish Your graces on us continuously. You make us
fit to enter ` Your kingdom, and in Your goodness You grant that human beings
may fill the places vacated by the ungrateful angels. O God of great mercy, who
turned Your sacred gaze away from the rebellious angels and turned it upon
contrite man, praise and glory be to Your unfathomable mercy, O God who do not
despise the lowly heart.
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.
1701 I asked the Lord
today that He might deign to teach me about the interior life, because of
myself I can neither understand nor conceive anything perfectly. The Lord
answered me, I was your Teacher, I am and I will be; strive to make
your heart like unto My humble and gentle Heart. Never claim your rights. Bear
with great calm and patience everything that befalls you. Do not defend
yourself when you are put to shame, though innocent. Let others triumph. Do not
stop being good when you notice that your goodness is being abused. I Myself
will speak up for you when it is necessary. Be grateful for the smallest of My
graces, because your gratitude compels Me to grant you new graces...
1702 Towards the end
of the Way of the Cross which I was making, the Lord Jesus began to complain
about the souls of religious and priests, about the lack of love in chosen
souls. I will allow convents and churches to be destroyed. I
answered, "Jesus, but there are so many souls praising You in
convents." The Lord answered, That praise wounds My Heart, because
love has been banished from convents. Souls without love and without devotion,
souls full of egoism and self-love, souls full of pride and arrogance, souls
full of deceit and hypocrisy, lukewarm souls who have just enough warmth to
keep them alive: My Heart cannot bear this. All the graces that I pour out upon
them flow off them as off the face of a rock. I cannot stand them, because they
are neither good or bad. I called convents into being to sanctify the world
through them. It is from them that a powerful flame of love and sacrifice
should burst forth. And if they do not repent and become enkindled by their
first love, I will deliver them over to the fate of this world...
How can they sit on the promised throne of judgment to judge the world, when their guilt is greater than the guilt of the world? There is neither penance nor atonement. O heart, which received Me in the morning and at noon are all ablaze with hatred against Me, hatred of all sorts! O heart specially chosen by Me, were you chosen for this, to give Me more pain? The great sins of the world are superficial wounds on My Heart, but the sins of a chosen soul pierce My Heart through and through...
1703 When I tried to intercede for them, I could find nothing with which to excuse them and, being at the time unable to think of anything in their defense, my heart was seized with pain, and I wept bitterly. Then the Lord looked at me kindly and comforted me with these words: Do not cry. There are still a great number of souls who love Me very much, but My Heart desires to be loved by all and, because My love is great, that is why I warn and chastise them.
How can they sit on the promised throne of judgment to judge the world, when their guilt is greater than the guilt of the world? There is neither penance nor atonement. O heart, which received Me in the morning and at noon are all ablaze with hatred against Me, hatred of all sorts! O heart specially chosen by Me, were you chosen for this, to give Me more pain? The great sins of the world are superficial wounds on My Heart, but the sins of a chosen soul pierce My Heart through and through...
1703 When I tried to intercede for them, I could find nothing with which to excuse them and, being at the time unable to think of anything in their defense, my heart was seized with pain, and I wept bitterly. Then the Lord looked at me kindly and comforted me with these words: Do not cry. There are still a great number of souls who love Me very much, but My Heart desires to be loved by all and, because My love is great, that is why I warn and chastise them.
1712 A certain person
whom I have mentioned before visited me again. When I saw that she was
beginning to get entangled in her own lies, I let her know that I knew she was
lying. She became very embarrassed and stopped speaking. Then I spoke to her
about the great judgments of God, and I also remarked that she was leading
innocent souls astray and along dangerous roads. I uncovered before her
everything that was in her heart. Since I had to overcome my own feelings in
order to talk to her, to prove to Jesus that I love my enemies, I gave her my
afternoon snack. She went away enlightened in soul, but action is still far
away...
1722 I heard these
words: If you did not tie My hands, I would send down many punishments
upon the earth. My daughter, your look disarms My anger. Although your lips are
silent, you call out to Me so mightily that all heaven is moved. I cannot
escape from your requests, because you pursue Me, not from afar but within your
own heart.
1728 Write: I
am Thrice Holy, and I detest the smallest sin. I cannot love a soul which is
stained with sin; but when it repents, there is no limit to My generosity
toward it. My mercy embraces and justifies it. With My mercy, I pursue sinners
along all their paths, and My Heart rejoices when they return to Me. I forget
the bitterness with which they fed My Heart and rejoice at their return.
Tell sinners that no one shall escape My Hand; if they run away from My Merciful Heart, they will fall into My Just Hands. Tell sinners that I am always waiting for them, that I listen intently to the beating of their heart... when will it beat for Me? Write, that I am speaking to them through their remorse of conscience, through their failures and sufferings, through thunderstorms, through the voice of the Church. And if they bring all My graces to naught, I begin to be angry with them, leaving them alone and giving them what they want.
1729 O my Jesus, You alone know of my efforts. I seem to be a bit better, but better only to the point that I can go out on the veranda instead of lying in bed. I see and am fully aware of what is happening to me. Despite the diligent care of my superiors and the efforts of the doctors, my health is fading and running out. But I rejoice greatly at Your call, my God, my Love, because I know that my mission will begin at the moment of my death. Oh, how much I desire to be set free from the bonds of this body. O my Jesus, You know that, in all my desires, I always want to see Your will. Of myself, I would not want to die one minute sooner, or to live one minute longer, or to suffer less, or to suffer more, but I only want to do Your holy will. Although I have great enthusiasm, and the desires burning in my heart are immense, they are never above Your will.
1730 I fly to Your mercy, Compassionate God, who alone are good. Although my misery is great, and my offenses are many, I trust in Your mercy, because You are the God of mercy; and, from time immemorial, it has never been heard of, nor do heaven or earth remember, that a soul trusting in Your mercy has been disappointed.
O God of compassion, You alone can justify me, and You will never reject me when I, contrite, approach Your Merciful Heart, where no one has ever been refused, even if he were the greatest sinner.
Tell sinners that no one shall escape My Hand; if they run away from My Merciful Heart, they will fall into My Just Hands. Tell sinners that I am always waiting for them, that I listen intently to the beating of their heart... when will it beat for Me? Write, that I am speaking to them through their remorse of conscience, through their failures and sufferings, through thunderstorms, through the voice of the Church. And if they bring all My graces to naught, I begin to be angry with them, leaving them alone and giving them what they want.
1729 O my Jesus, You alone know of my efforts. I seem to be a bit better, but better only to the point that I can go out on the veranda instead of lying in bed. I see and am fully aware of what is happening to me. Despite the diligent care of my superiors and the efforts of the doctors, my health is fading and running out. But I rejoice greatly at Your call, my God, my Love, because I know that my mission will begin at the moment of my death. Oh, how much I desire to be set free from the bonds of this body. O my Jesus, You know that, in all my desires, I always want to see Your will. Of myself, I would not want to die one minute sooner, or to live one minute longer, or to suffer less, or to suffer more, but I only want to do Your holy will. Although I have great enthusiasm, and the desires burning in my heart are immense, they are never above Your will.
1730 I fly to Your mercy, Compassionate God, who alone are good. Although my misery is great, and my offenses are many, I trust in Your mercy, because You are the God of mercy; and, from time immemorial, it has never been heard of, nor do heaven or earth remember, that a soul trusting in Your mercy has been disappointed.
O God of compassion, You alone can justify me, and You will never reject me when I, contrite, approach Your Merciful Heart, where no one has ever been refused, even if he were the greatest sinner.
1784 Today, in the
course of a long conversation, the Lord said to me, How very much I
desire the salvation of souls! My dearest secretary, write that I want to pour
out My divine life into human souls and sanctify them, if only they were
willing to accept My grace. The greatest sinners would achieve great sanctity,
if only they would trust in My mercy. The very inner depths of My being are
filled to overflowing with mercy, and it is being poured out upon all I have
created. My delight is to act in a human soul and to fill it with My mercy and
to justify it. My kingdom on earth is My life in the human soul. Write, My
secretary, that I Myself am the spiritual guide of souls-and I guide them
indirectly through the priest, and lead each one to sanctity by a road known to
Me alone.
(Diary of Sister
Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-36, 83, 374, 496)
(Diary of Sister
Faustina Kowalska Notebook-II-660, 625, 635, 793, 825, 840, 895)
(Diary of Sister
Faustina Kowalska Notebook-III-1074-1076)
(Diary of Sister
Faustina Kowalska Notebook-IV-1317, 1339)
(Diary of Sister
Faustina Kowalska Notebook-V-1548)
(Diary of Sister
Faustina Kowalska Notebook-VI-1701-1703, 1712, 1722)
(Diary of Sister
Faustina Kowalska Notebook-VI-1728-1730, 1784)
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