Lax about Lazarus
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September 29, 2019. Twenty-Sixth
Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Father Edward
McIlmail, LC
Luke 16: 19-31
Jesus said to the
Pharisees: "There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine
linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man
named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of
the scraps that fell from the rich man´s table. Dogs even used to come and
lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the
bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the
netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far
off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ´Father Abraham, have pity on
me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.´ Abraham replied, ´My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus
likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are
tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to
prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or
from your side to ours.´ He said, ´Then I beg you, father, send him to my
father´s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they
too come to this place of torment.´ But Abraham replied, ´They have Moses and
the prophets. Let them listen to them.´ He said, ´Oh no, father Abraham, but
if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.´ Then Abraham said,
´If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be
persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.´"
Introductory
Prayer: In
You, Lord, I find all my joy and happiness. How could I offend You by chasing
after fleeting success and lifeless trophies? I believe in You because You
are truth itself. I hope in You because You are faithful to Your promises. I
love You because You have loved me first. I am a sinner; nevertheless, You
have given me so many blessings. I humbly thank You.
Petition: Lord, make me more aware of the people
around me who need my help.
1. Nice Isn´t
Enough: The
rich man in today´s Gospel is the proverbial “nice guy.” His good qualities
abound. He does, after all, accept his fate meekly. He doesn´t ask to be
released from hell; he asks for only a drop of water to quench his thirst.
And when he can´t get even that much relief, he begs for a special messenger
in the hopes of sparing his own brothers a similar fate. He at least thinks of
the welfare of others. Yet, all that niceness didn´t save him from eternal
punishment. Do I ever think that just being a "nice" person will
get me to heaven? Might I be using my own standards to judge my worthiness,
rather than using God´s standards?
2. The “O”
Word: The
rich man never seemed to be bothered by Lazarus. The poor man was doubtlessly
a pitiful sight to behold. Some people would have been quick to send servants
to chase the beggar away. But not the rich man; no, he deliberately left the
beggar alone. And that is where the rich man erred. His was a sin of
omission. The rich man lost his soul not for what he did, but for what he
failed to do. Am I much better? Is there someone in need, right under my
nose, who I routinely ignore? Is there something I could be doing to end an
evil? Do I help the pro-life effort? Do I contribute to the poor? Do I
dedicate time to a needy child or sibling or in-law?
3. Late Love: The rich man, now condemned, shows concern
for his five brothers. They, presumably, are living it up — and destined for
the same end as their hapless sibling. The rich man´s concern is well-placed,
but his timing is late. If only he had shown concern for his brothers´ souls
when he was alive — then he might have made an impact. Caring for family
members, helping them reach heaven, is the most loving thing we can do for
them. Everything else will be meaningless if our own behavior (or omission)
prevents others from attaining salvation. Does that prompt me to pray
constantly for family members? To offer up sacrifices for them? Do I try to
help others grow in their faith?
Conversation with
Christ: Lord,
my time in this world is short. Too many people suffer the unexpected death
of loved ones and then regret that they didn´t do more for them. Let me not
make that same mistake. Help me see that each day is a gift, and each
encounter with another person is an opportunity to show Your love to them.
Resolution: I will do an act of charity for someone whom
I have been taking for granted.
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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.
112 +A few words about
confession and confessors. I shall speak only of what I have experienced and
gone through within my own soul. There are three things which hinder the soul
from drawing profit from confession in these exceptional moments.
The first thing: when the confessor has little knowledge of extraordinary ways and shows surprise if a soul discloses to him the great mysteries worked in it by God. Such surprise frightens a sensitive soul, and it notices that the confessor hesitates to give his opinion; and if it does notice this, it will not be set at peace, but will have even more doubts after confession than before, because it will sense that the confessor is trying to set it at peace while he himself is uncertain. Or else, as has happened to me, a confessor, unable to penetrate some of the soul's mysteries, refuses to hear the confession, showing a certain fear when the soul approaches the confessional.
How can a soul in this state obtain peace in the confessional when it has become so oversensitive to every word of the priest? In my opinion, at times of such special trials sent by God to a soul, the priest, if he does not understand the soul, should direct it to some other experienced and well-instructed confessor. Or else he himself should seek light in order to give the soul what it needs, instead of downrightly denying it confession. For in this way he is exposing the soul to a great danger; and more than one soul may well leave the road along which God wanted it to journey. This is a matter of great importance, for I have experienced it myself. I myself began to waver; despite special gifts from God, and even though God himself reassured me, I have nevertheless always wanted to have the Church's seal as well.
The second thing: the confessor does not allow the soul to express itself frankly, and shows impatience. The soul then falls silent and does not say everything [it has to say] and, by this, profits nothing. It profits even less when the confessor, without really knowing the soul, proceeds to put it to the test. Instead of helping the soul, he does it harm. The soul is aware that the confessor does not know it, because he did not allow it to lay itself open fully as regards both its graces and its misery. And so the test is ill-adapted. I have been submitted to some tests at which I have had to laugh.
I will express this better thus: The confessor is the doctor of the soul, but how can a doctor prescribe a suitable remedy if he does not know the nature of the sickness? Never will he be able to do so. For either the remedy will not produce the desired effect, or else it will be too strong and will aggravate the illness, and sometimes-God forbid-even bring about death. I am speaking from my own experience because, in certain instances, it was the Lord himself who directly sustained me.
The third thing: it also happens sometimes that the confessor makes light of little things. There is nothing little in the spiritual life. Sometimes a seemingly insignificant thing will disclose a matter of great consequence and will be for the confessor a beam of light which helps him to get to know the soul. Many spiritual undertones are concealed in little things.
A magnificent building will never rise if we reject the insignificant bricks. God demands great purity of certain souls, and so He gives them a deeper knowledge of their own misery. Illuminated by light from on high, the soul can better know what pleases God and what does not. Sin depends upon the degree of knowledge and light that exists within the soul. The same is true of imperfections. Although the soul knows that it is only sin in the strict sense of the term which pertains to the sacrament of penance, yet these petty things are of great importance to a soul which is tending to sanctity, and the confessor must not treat them lightly. The patience and kindness of the confessor open the way to the innermost secrets of the soul. The soul, unconsciously as it were, reveals its abysmal depth and feels stronger and more resistant; it fights with greater courage and tries to do things better because it knows it must give an account of them.
I will mention one more thing regarding the confessor. It is his duty to occasionally put to the test, to try, to exercise, to learn whether he is dealing with straw, with iron or with pure gold. Each of these three types of souls needs different kinds of training. The confessor must-and this is absolutely necessary-form a clear judgment of each soul in order to know how heavy a burden it can carry at certain times, in certain circumstances, or in particular situations. As for myself, it was only later on, after many [negative] experiences, that, when I saw that I was not understood, I no longer laid bare my soul or allowed my peace to be disturbed. But this happened only when all these graces had already been submitted to the judgement of a wise, well-instructed and experienced confessor. Now I know what to go by in certain cases.
The first thing: when the confessor has little knowledge of extraordinary ways and shows surprise if a soul discloses to him the great mysteries worked in it by God. Such surprise frightens a sensitive soul, and it notices that the confessor hesitates to give his opinion; and if it does notice this, it will not be set at peace, but will have even more doubts after confession than before, because it will sense that the confessor is trying to set it at peace while he himself is uncertain. Or else, as has happened to me, a confessor, unable to penetrate some of the soul's mysteries, refuses to hear the confession, showing a certain fear when the soul approaches the confessional.
How can a soul in this state obtain peace in the confessional when it has become so oversensitive to every word of the priest? In my opinion, at times of such special trials sent by God to a soul, the priest, if he does not understand the soul, should direct it to some other experienced and well-instructed confessor. Or else he himself should seek light in order to give the soul what it needs, instead of downrightly denying it confession. For in this way he is exposing the soul to a great danger; and more than one soul may well leave the road along which God wanted it to journey. This is a matter of great importance, for I have experienced it myself. I myself began to waver; despite special gifts from God, and even though God himself reassured me, I have nevertheless always wanted to have the Church's seal as well.
The second thing: the confessor does not allow the soul to express itself frankly, and shows impatience. The soul then falls silent and does not say everything [it has to say] and, by this, profits nothing. It profits even less when the confessor, without really knowing the soul, proceeds to put it to the test. Instead of helping the soul, he does it harm. The soul is aware that the confessor does not know it, because he did not allow it to lay itself open fully as regards both its graces and its misery. And so the test is ill-adapted. I have been submitted to some tests at which I have had to laugh.
I will express this better thus: The confessor is the doctor of the soul, but how can a doctor prescribe a suitable remedy if he does not know the nature of the sickness? Never will he be able to do so. For either the remedy will not produce the desired effect, or else it will be too strong and will aggravate the illness, and sometimes-God forbid-even bring about death. I am speaking from my own experience because, in certain instances, it was the Lord himself who directly sustained me.
The third thing: it also happens sometimes that the confessor makes light of little things. There is nothing little in the spiritual life. Sometimes a seemingly insignificant thing will disclose a matter of great consequence and will be for the confessor a beam of light which helps him to get to know the soul. Many spiritual undertones are concealed in little things.
A magnificent building will never rise if we reject the insignificant bricks. God demands great purity of certain souls, and so He gives them a deeper knowledge of their own misery. Illuminated by light from on high, the soul can better know what pleases God and what does not. Sin depends upon the degree of knowledge and light that exists within the soul. The same is true of imperfections. Although the soul knows that it is only sin in the strict sense of the term which pertains to the sacrament of penance, yet these petty things are of great importance to a soul which is tending to sanctity, and the confessor must not treat them lightly. The patience and kindness of the confessor open the way to the innermost secrets of the soul. The soul, unconsciously as it were, reveals its abysmal depth and feels stronger and more resistant; it fights with greater courage and tries to do things better because it knows it must give an account of them.
I will mention one more thing regarding the confessor. It is his duty to occasionally put to the test, to try, to exercise, to learn whether he is dealing with straw, with iron or with pure gold. Each of these three types of souls needs different kinds of training. The confessor must-and this is absolutely necessary-form a clear judgment of each soul in order to know how heavy a burden it can carry at certain times, in certain circumstances, or in particular situations. As for myself, it was only later on, after many [negative] experiences, that, when I saw that I was not understood, I no longer laid bare my soul or allowed my peace to be disturbed. But this happened only when all these graces had already been submitted to the judgement of a wise, well-instructed and experienced confessor. Now I know what to go by in certain cases.
145 Oh, how wretched
my soul is for having wasted so many graces! I was running away from God, and
He pursued me with his graces. I most often experienced God's graces when I
least expected them. From the moment He gave me a spiritual director, I have
been more faithful to grace. Thanks to the director and his watchfulness over
my soul, I have learned what guidance means and how Jesus looks at it. Jesus
warned me of the least fault and stressed that He himself judges the matter
that I present to my confessor; and [He told me] that ... any
transgressions against the confessor touch Me myself.
When under his direction my soul began to experience deep recollection and peace, I often heard these words in my soul: Strengthen yourself for combat - repeated over and over at various times.
+Jesus often makes known to me what He does not like in my soul, and He has more than once rebuked me for what seemed to be trifles, but which were, in fact, things of great importance. He has warned me and tried me like a Master. For many years He himself educated me, until the moment when He gave me a spiritual director. Previously, He himself had made clear to me what I did not understand; but now, He tells me to ask my confessor about everything and often says, I will answer you through his mouth. Be at peace. It has never happened to me that I have received an answer which was contrary to what the Lord wanted of me, when I presented it to the spiritual director [Father Sopocko]. It sometimes happens that Jesus first asks certain things of me, about which no one knows anything, and then, when I kneel at the confessional, my confessor gives me the same order-however, this is infrequent.
+When, over a long period of time, a soul has received much light and many inspirations, and when the confessors have confirmed the source of these inspirations and set the soul at peace; if its love is great, Jesus now makes it known that it is time to put into action what it has received. The soul recognizes that God is counting on it, and this knowledge fortifies it. It knows that to be faithful it will often have to face various difficulties, but it trusts in God and, thanks to this trust, it reaches that point to which God is calling it. Difficulties do not terrify it; they are its daily bread, as it were. They do not frighten or terrify the soul, just as a warrior who is constantly in battle is not terrified by the roar of the cannon. Far from being frightened, it listens to determine from which side the enemy is launching his attack, in order to defeat him. It does nothing blindly, but examines and ponders everything deeply and, not counting on itself, it prays fervently and asks advice of other warriors who are experienced and wise. When the soul acts in this way, it nearly always wins.
There are attacks when a soul has no time to think or seek advice; then it must enter into a life-or-death struggle. Sometimes it is good to flee for cover in the wound of the Heart of Jesus, without answering a single word. By this very act the enemy is already defeated.
In time of peace, as well, the soul continues making efforts, just as in time of battle. It must exercise itself, and do so with energy; otherwise it has no chance of attaining victory. I regard the time of peace as a time of preparation for victory. The soul must be ever watchful; watchfulness and again, watchfulness. The soul that reflects receives much light. A distracted soul runs the risk of a fall, and let it not be surprised when it does fall. O Spirit of God, Director of the soul, wise is he whom You have trained! But for the Spirit of God to act in the soul, peace and recollection are needed.
When under his direction my soul began to experience deep recollection and peace, I often heard these words in my soul: Strengthen yourself for combat - repeated over and over at various times.
+Jesus often makes known to me what He does not like in my soul, and He has more than once rebuked me for what seemed to be trifles, but which were, in fact, things of great importance. He has warned me and tried me like a Master. For many years He himself educated me, until the moment when He gave me a spiritual director. Previously, He himself had made clear to me what I did not understand; but now, He tells me to ask my confessor about everything and often says, I will answer you through his mouth. Be at peace. It has never happened to me that I have received an answer which was contrary to what the Lord wanted of me, when I presented it to the spiritual director [Father Sopocko]. It sometimes happens that Jesus first asks certain things of me, about which no one knows anything, and then, when I kneel at the confessional, my confessor gives me the same order-however, this is infrequent.
+When, over a long period of time, a soul has received much light and many inspirations, and when the confessors have confirmed the source of these inspirations and set the soul at peace; if its love is great, Jesus now makes it known that it is time to put into action what it has received. The soul recognizes that God is counting on it, and this knowledge fortifies it. It knows that to be faithful it will often have to face various difficulties, but it trusts in God and, thanks to this trust, it reaches that point to which God is calling it. Difficulties do not terrify it; they are its daily bread, as it were. They do not frighten or terrify the soul, just as a warrior who is constantly in battle is not terrified by the roar of the cannon. Far from being frightened, it listens to determine from which side the enemy is launching his attack, in order to defeat him. It does nothing blindly, but examines and ponders everything deeply and, not counting on itself, it prays fervently and asks advice of other warriors who are experienced and wise. When the soul acts in this way, it nearly always wins.
There are attacks when a soul has no time to think or seek advice; then it must enter into a life-or-death struggle. Sometimes it is good to flee for cover in the wound of the Heart of Jesus, without answering a single word. By this very act the enemy is already defeated.
In time of peace, as well, the soul continues making efforts, just as in time of battle. It must exercise itself, and do so with energy; otherwise it has no chance of attaining victory. I regard the time of peace as a time of preparation for victory. The soul must be ever watchful; watchfulness and again, watchfulness. The soul that reflects receives much light. A distracted soul runs the risk of a fall, and let it not be surprised when it does fall. O Spirit of God, Director of the soul, wise is he whom You have trained! But for the Spirit of God to act in the soul, peace and recollection are needed.
282 Once the Lord said
to me, My Heart was moved by great mercy towards you, My dearest child,
when I saw you torn to shreds because of the great pain you suffered in
repenting for your sins. I see your love, so pure and true that I give you
first place among the virgins. You are the honor and glory of My Passion. I see
every abasement of your soul, and nothing escapes my attention. I lift up the
humble even to my very throne, because I want it so.
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
From today on, I do the Will of God everywhere, always, and in everything.[88]
[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
From today on, I do the Will of God everywhere, always, and in everything.[88]
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.
423 Praise the Lord,
my soul, for everything, and glorify His mercy, for His goodness is without
end. Everything will pass, but His mercy is without limit or end. And although
evil will attain its measure, in mercy there is no measure.
O my God, even in the punishments You send down upon the earth I see the abyss of Your mercy, for by punishing us here on earth You free us from eternal punishment. Rejoice, all you creatures, for you are closer to God in His infinite mercy than a baby to its mother's heart. O God, You are compassion itself for the greatest sinners who sincerely repent. The greater the sinner, the greater his right to God's mercy.
O my God, even in the punishments You send down upon the earth I see the abyss of Your mercy, for by punishing us here on earth You free us from eternal punishment. Rejoice, all you creatures, for you are closer to God in His infinite mercy than a baby to its mother's heart. O God, You are compassion itself for the greatest sinners who sincerely repent. The greater the sinner, the greater his right to God's mercy.
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.
566 One day, after
Holy Communion, I suddenly saw the Infant Jesus standing by my kneeler and
holding on to it with His two little hands. Although He was but a little Child,
my soul was filled with awe and fear, for I see in Him my Judge, my Lord, and
my Creator, before whose holiness the Angels tremble. At the same time, my soul
was flooded with such unspeakable love that I thought I would die under its
influence. I now see that Jesus first strengthens my soul and makes it capable
of abiding with Him, for otherwise I would not be able to bear what I experience
at such a moment.
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.
717 All night long, I
was preparing to receive Holy Communion, since I could not sleep because of
physical suffering. My soul was flooded with love and repentance.
852 Today the Lord's
gaze shot through me suddenly, like lightning. At once, I came to know the
tiniest specks in my soul, and knowing the depths of my misery, I fell to my
knees and begged the Lord's pardon, and with great trust I immersed myself in
His infinite mercy. Such knowledge does not depress me nor keep me away from
the Lord, but rather it arouses in my soul greater love and boundless trust.
The repentance of my heart is linked to love. These extraordinary flashes from
the Lord educate my soul. O sweet rays of God, enlighten me to the most secret
depth, for I want to arrive at the greatest possible purity of heart and soul.
854 December 29,
[1936]. Today after Holy Communion, I heard a voice in my soul: My
daughter, stand ready, for I will come unexpectedly. Jesus, You do not
want to tell me the hour I am looking forward to with such longing? My
daughter, it is for your own good. You will learn it, but not now; keep
watch. O Jesus, do with me as You please. I know You are the merciful
Savior and You will not change towards me at the hour of my death. If at this
time you are showing me so much special love, and are condescending to unite
Yourself with me is such an intimate way and with such great kindness, I expect
even more at the hour of my death. You, my Lord-God, cannot change. You are always
the same. Heaven can change, as well as everything that is created; but You,
Lord, are ever the same and will endure forever. So come as You like and when
You like. Father of infinite mercy, I, Your child, wait longingly for Your
coming. O Jesus, You said in the Holy Gospel, "Out of your mouth do I
judge you." Well, Jesus, I am always speaking of Your inconceivable mercy,
so I trust that You will judge me according to Your unfathomable mercy.
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.
934 Small practices
for Lent. Although I wish and desire to do so, I cannot practice big
mortifications as before, because I am under the strict surveillance of the
doctor. But I can practice little things: first-sleep without a pillow; keep
myself a little hungry; every day, with my arms outstretched, say the chaplet
which the Lord taught me; occasionally, with arms outstretched, for an
indefinite period of time pray informally. Intention: to beg divine mercy for
poor sinners, and for priests, the power to bring sinful hearts to repentance.
1052 O my Jesus, I beg
You on behalf of the whole Church: Grant it love and the light of Your Spirit,
and give power to the words of priests so that hardened hearts might be brought
to repentance and return to You, O Lord. Lord, give us holy priests; You
yourself maintain them in holiness. O Divine and Great High Priest, may the
power of Your mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil's
traps and snares which are continually being set for the souls of priests. May
the power of Your mercy, O Lord, shatter and bring to naught all that might
tarnish the sanctity of priests, for You can do all things.
1054 When Jesus was
taking leave of me, such great pain filled my soul that it is impossible to
express it. Physical strength left me; I left the chapel quickly and went to
bed. I was oblivious of what was going on around me. My soul was filled with
longing for the Lord, and all the bitterness of His Divine Heart was imparted
to me. This lasted for about three hours. I asked the Lord to protect me from the
eyes of those around me. Although I wanted to, I could not take any food all
day, until evening.
I earnestly desired to spend the whole night with Jesus in the dark prison cell. [184] I prayed until eleven o'clock. At eleven, the Lord said to me, Lie down and take your rest. I have let you experience in three hours what I suffered during the whole night. And immediately I went to bed.
I had no physical strength left; the suffering had deprived me of it completely. Throughout all this time, I had been in a sort of swoon. Every beat of Jesus' Heart was reflected in my heart and pierced my soul. If these tortures had concerned me only, I would have suffered less; but as I looked at the One whom my heart has loved with all its might and saw that He was suffering, and that I could not bring Him any relief, my heart dissolved in love and bitterness. I was dying with Him, and yet I could not die. But I would not have exchanged that martyrdom for all the pleasures in the whole world. In the course of this suffering, my love grew immeasurably. I know that the Lord was supporting me with His omnipotence, for otherwise I would not have been able to endure it for even a moment. Together with Him, I underwent, in a special way, all the various tortures. The world still has no idea of all that Jesus suffered. I accompanied Him to the Garden of Gethsemane; I stayed with Him in the prison; I went with Him before the judges; I underwent with Him each of the tortures. Not a single one of His movements or looks escaped my notice. I came to know all the omnipotence of His love and of His mercy toward souls.
I earnestly desired to spend the whole night with Jesus in the dark prison cell. [184] I prayed until eleven o'clock. At eleven, the Lord said to me, Lie down and take your rest. I have let you experience in three hours what I suffered during the whole night. And immediately I went to bed.
I had no physical strength left; the suffering had deprived me of it completely. Throughout all this time, I had been in a sort of swoon. Every beat of Jesus' Heart was reflected in my heart and pierced my soul. If these tortures had concerned me only, I would have suffered less; but as I looked at the One whom my heart has loved with all its might and saw that He was suffering, and that I could not bring Him any relief, my heart dissolved in love and bitterness. I was dying with Him, and yet I could not die. But I would not have exchanged that martyrdom for all the pleasures in the whole world. In the course of this suffering, my love grew immeasurably. I know that the Lord was supporting me with His omnipotence, for otherwise I would not have been able to endure it for even a moment. Together with Him, I underwent, in a special way, all the various tortures. The world still has no idea of all that Jesus suffered. I accompanied Him to the Garden of Gethsemane; I stayed with Him in the prison; I went with Him before the judges; I underwent with Him each of the tortures. Not a single one of His movements or looks escaped my notice. I came to know all the omnipotence of His love and of His mercy toward souls.
1064 + O my most sweet
Master, good Jesus, I give You my heart. You shape and mold it after Your
liking. O fathomless love, I open the calyx of my heart to You, like a rosebud
to the freshness of dew. To You alone, my Betrothed, is known the fragrance of
the flower of my heart. Let the fragrance of my sacrifice be pleasing to You. O
Immortal God, my everlasting delight, already here on earth You are my heaven.
May every beat of my heart be a new hymn of praise to You, O Holy Trinity! Had
I as many hearts as there are drops of water in the ocean or grains of sand in
the whole world, I would offer them all to You, O my Love, O Treasure of my
heart! Whomever I shall meet in my life, no matter who they may be, I want to
draw them all to love You, O my Jesus, my Beauty, my Repose, my sole Master,
Judge, Savior and Spouse, all in one; I know that one title will modify the
other-I have entrusted everything to Your mercy.
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.
1093 + O Jesus, shield
me with Your mercy and also judge me leniently, or else Your justice may
rightly damn me.
1146 [Let] the
greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before
others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy
towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To
such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the
greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I
justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy. Write: before I come as a
just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy. He who refuses to pass
through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice...
1158 A member of this
group ought to perform at least one act of mercy a day; at least one, but there
can be many more, for such deeds can easily be carried out by anyone, even the
very poorest. For there are three ways of performing an act of mercy: the
merciful word, by forgiving and by comforting; secondly, if you can offer no
word, then pray-that too is mercy; and thirdly, deeds of mercy. And when the
Last Day comes, we shall be judged from this, and on this basis we shall
receive the eternal verdict.
1159 God's floodgates
have been opened for us. Let us want to take advantage of them before the day
of God's justice arrives. And that will be a dreadful day!
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.
1426 Christ, give me
souls. Let anything You like happen to me, but give me souls in return. I want
the salvation of souls. I want souls to know Your mercy. I have nothing left
for myself, because I have given everything away to souls, with the result that
on the day of judgment I will stand before You empty-handed, since I have given
everything away to souls. Thus You will have nothing on which to judge me, and
we shall meet on that day: Love and mercy... + J. M. J.
1515
+ I spent this whole night with Jesus in the dark dungeon. This was a night of
adoration. The sisters were praying in the chapel, and I was uniting myself
with them in spirit, because poor health prevents me from going to the chapel.
But all night long I could not fall asleep, so I spent the night in the dark
prison with Jesus. Jesus gave me to know of the sufferings He experienced
there. The world will learn about them on the day of judgment.
1528
+ When I complained to the Lord Jesus about a certain person [saying],
"Jesus, how can this person pass judgment like that, even about an
intention?" the Lord answered, Do not be surprised. That soul does
not even know her own self, so how could she pass a fair judgment on another
soul?
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, 112, 145, 282, 374, 378)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-423, 496)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-II-566, 660, 717, 852, 854, 895, 934)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-III-1052, 1054, 1064, 1074-1076, 1093)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-III-1146, 1158-1159)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-IV-1317)
(Diary
of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-V-1426, 1515, 1528)
(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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