The Supreme Measure of Paschal Joy
April 17, 2017. Monday in the Octave of Easter
Matthew 28:8-15
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” While they were going, some of the guards went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. They assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You are to say, ´His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.´ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” While they were going, some of the guards went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. They assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You are to say, ´His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.´ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, You are the source of all life because You are life itself. Your
resurrection from the dead gives me the hope of being raised from the dead to
rejoice with You forever in heaven. I need to dwell more often on the good You
have done for us and on Your promises to those who put their trust in You.
Thank You, Jesus, for taking up Your life again and leading the way home to
heaven. I love You, and I want to follow after You with all my heart. I want to
cooperate more fully with You in bringing many others there with me.
Petition: Lord, as a fruit of my experiencing your love, grant me the grace of
witnessing to You.
1. Coming into the Light of the Resurrection: Contemplate the women at the tomb. Feel their
distress upon entering an open and empty tomb. Experience their fears for where
the body might be. Share in their joy because their faith, and ours, awakens to
the reality of Our Lord’s resurrection. Indeed, it is true! He has truly risen!
Alleluia! Approach him and bow down, then adore and embrace the loving feet of
Our Lord. He wants to be our strength, our light and our love. He wants to be
our Lord.
2. From Contemplatives to Missionaries: From our contemplation we must become
missionaries. This is the instruction Our Lord gives these privileged women:
“Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”From their
adoration, Our Lord calls them to be witnesses to the world, beginning first
with the apostles. These women, insignificant in the eyes of the world, have
become irreplaceable heralds of the Gospel. Why? It is not because of any
social class or role they had had. Rather, it is because of the faith and love
with which they would live and accomplish the mission entrusted to them. They
were faithful to Our Lord in spreading the Good News of the Resurrection to the
apostles and the world.
3. Obedience of Faith Allows Us to See: Our Lord asks the apostles to obey his command:
“Go to Galilee … there they will see me.” Christ requires our obedience in
order for us to see him in faith and experience his resurrection. Without
obedience, we might not recognize him. The guards at the tomb were obedient to
the orders of the chief priests. Yet the guards lacked faith, so they did not
believe what they saw and thus did not adore. We all obey someone. However, it
is obedience to Christ that leads to faith which leads to life: “He who
believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36).
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank You for this time I have spent
with You in prayer and contemplation of Your resurrection. Help me always to
grow and mature in my faith. Without it I am lost. Without it I am unable to
see You, and if I cannot see You, how will I be able to follow You? I place my
trust in You and Your promise of eternal life.
Resolution: I will make a special effort to speak well of others today, especially
those with whom I may disagree.
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.
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."
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."
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, 102, 105-106, 257)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-362, 365, 376, 381)
(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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