Built Wisely
June 29, 2017. Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Father Edward McIlmail, LC
Matthew
7:21-29
Jesus said to his disciples: "Not everyone
who says to me, ´Lord, Lord,´ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the
one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me,
´Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your
name, and do many deeds of power in your name?´ Then I will declare to them, ´I
never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.´ Everyone then who hears these
words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on
rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that
house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone
who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish
man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the
winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell -- and great was its fall!"
Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at
his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their
scribes.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, before I can produce anything lasting in my life, I need to be
united to You in prayer. Aware of my weakness and inclination to sin, I trust
all the more in Your forgiveness and mercy. I believe in Your presence in the
Eucharist. It gives me the assurances that You really are with Your Church
until the end of time.
Petition: Lord, help me to improve one point of my life that
has been neglected.
1. Lord, Lord: "Faith without works is useless" (James 2:20). Witnessing to
our faith through our works is crucial. It´s not enough to go to Mass on
Sunday, to have the Bible on the shelf, to hang a rosary on the rearview
mirror. Faith in Christ means daily conversion, changing our lives in
conformity to his will. "Not everyone who says to me, ´Lord, Lord,´ will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in
heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Doing the will of the Father means works of
charity, of patience, of disinterested service. Real expressions of our faith
demand that we give of ourselves. Real faith doesn´t leave us feeling smug. Do
I ever feel self-righteous because "I´m with the Pope"? Because I
"never got caught" doing something wrong? Does my faith in Christ
leave me complacent? Or does it drive me to works of charity?
2. Rock Solid: Listening to and following Christ means living as we should. There is a
truth about our being human that demands a response. To know, love and serve
God in this world, and to be happy with him forever in the next, sums up the
purpose of our lives (see Catechism, No. 1). When we sin, we break not only
with Christ but with ourselves. We feel divided interiorly by our passions, our
anger, our vanity, our greed. Christ invites us to "come home," to be
what we were meant to be. That is the surest foundation we can have when a
crisis strikes. Where am I "building on sand"? Is my prayer life
weak? Am I stingy with my possessions? Hardhearted toward a family member?
3. Facade: We can surmise that the house built on sand looked sturdy -- that is
why no one thought to test its strength before the big storm arrived. Our lives
can be the same way. In a time of calm everything seems OK. No cares, no fears.
Everything looks good on the outside, like those old Hollywood movie sets: all
façade, but no depth. Beneath the surface, however, there might lie decay,
chronic problems, issues that aren´t resolved, emptiness -- all because Christ
isn´t the center of our lives. Are there areas of my life where I´m living
superficially? Am I just putting up appearances for the neighbors? My parents?
My spouse? My sweetheart? My pastor? What problems do I need to weed out of my
life?
Conversation with Christ: Lord, You love me too much to stand by and let me
live my life on the surface. You know it is difficult for me to give up my
mask, because it is never easy for me to face my weaknesses. Give me the
strength to confront what I need to change in my life.
Resolution: I will note one area where I´m not living up to the public image I
present. Then I will offer up a decade of the rosary to overcome that vice or
weakness.
Excerpts from the DIARY of Saint Faustina Kowalska
6 I am to write [3] down the encounters of my soul with You, O
God, at the moments of Your special visitations. I am to write about You, O
Incomprehensible in mercy towards my poor soul. Your holy will is the life of
my soul. I have received this order through him who is for me Your
representative here on earth, who interprets Your holy Will to me. Jesus, You
see how difficult it is for me to write, how unable I am to put down clearly
what I experience in my soul. O God, can a pen write down that for which many a
time there are no words? But You give the order to write, O God; that is enough
for me.
25 During the night, the Mother of God visited me, holding the Infant
Jesus in Her arms. My soul was filled with joy, and I said, "Mary, my
Mother, do You know how terribly I suffer?" And the Mother of God answered
me, I know how much you suffer, but do not be afraid. I share with you your
suffering, and I shall always do so. She smiled warmly and disappeared. At
once, strength and a great courage sprang up anew in my soul; but that lasted
only one day. It seemed as though hell had conspired against me. A terrible
hatred began to break out in my soul, a hatred for all that is holy and divine.
It seemed to me that these spiritual torments would be my lot for the rest of
my life. I turned to the Blessed Sacrament and said to Jesus, "Jesus, my
Spouse, do You not see that my soul is dying because of its longing for You?
How can You hide Yourself from a heart that loves You so sincerely? Forgive me,
Jesus; may Your holy will be done in me. I will suffer silently like a dove,
without complaining. I will not allow my heart even one single cry of sorrowful
complaint."
53 For the present you are coming to me for confession, but understand,
Sister, that you must have a permanent confessor; that is to say, a spiritual
director."
I was very upset by this. I thought that I would get myself free from everything, and it turned out quite the opposite-an explicit command to follow the requests of Jesus. And now, still another torment, as I had no permanent confessor. Even if I went to the same confessor for a certain period of time, I could not open my soul to him in respect to these graces, and this caused me ineffable pain. So I asked Jesus to give these graces to someone else, because I did not know how to make use of them and was only wasting them. "Jesus, have mercy on me; do not entrust such great things to me, as You see that I am a bit of dust and completely inept."
But the goodness of Jesus is infinite; He had promised me visible help here on earth, and a little while later I received it in Vilnius, in the person of Father Sopocko. I had already known him before coming to Vilnius, thanks to an interior vision. One day I saw him in our chapel between the altar and the confessional and suddenly heard a voice in my soul say, This is the visible help for you on earth. He will help you carry out My will on earth.
I was very upset by this. I thought that I would get myself free from everything, and it turned out quite the opposite-an explicit command to follow the requests of Jesus. And now, still another torment, as I had no permanent confessor. Even if I went to the same confessor for a certain period of time, I could not open my soul to him in respect to these graces, and this caused me ineffable pain. So I asked Jesus to give these graces to someone else, because I did not know how to make use of them and was only wasting them. "Jesus, have mercy on me; do not entrust such great things to me, as You see that I am a bit of dust and completely inept."
But the goodness of Jesus is infinite; He had promised me visible help here on earth, and a little while later I received it in Vilnius, in the person of Father Sopocko. I had already known him before coming to Vilnius, thanks to an interior vision. One day I saw him in our chapel between the altar and the confessional and suddenly heard a voice in my soul say, This is the visible help for you on earth. He will help you carry out My will on earth.
56 O my God, I understand well that You demand this spiritual childhood[32] of me, because You are constantly asking it
of me through Your representatives.
At the beginning of my religious life, suffering and adversities frightened and disheartened me. So I prayed continuously, asking Jesus to strengthen me and to grant me the power of His Holy Spirit that I might carry out His holy will in all things, because from the beginning I have been aware of my weakness. I know very well what I am of myself, because for this purpose Jesus has opened the eyes of my soul; I am an abyss of misery, and hence I understand that whatever good there is in my soul consists solely of His holy grace. The knowledge of my own misery allows me, at the same time, to know the immensity of Your mercy. In my own interior life, I am looking with one eye at the abyss of my misery and baseness, and with the other, at the abyss of Your mercy, O God.
At the beginning of my religious life, suffering and adversities frightened and disheartened me. So I prayed continuously, asking Jesus to strengthen me and to grant me the power of His Holy Spirit that I might carry out His holy will in all things, because from the beginning I have been aware of my weakness. I know very well what I am of myself, because for this purpose Jesus has opened the eyes of my soul; I am an abyss of misery, and hence I understand that whatever good there is in my soul consists solely of His holy grace. The knowledge of my own misery allows me, at the same time, to know the immensity of Your mercy. In my own interior life, I am looking with one eye at the abyss of my misery and baseness, and with the other, at the abyss of Your mercy, O God.
O Divine Sun, in Your rays the soul sees the tiniest specks of dust
which displease You.
72 O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages.
73 O my Jesus, despite the deep night that is all around me and the dark clouds which hide the horizon, I know that the sun never goes out. O Lord, though I cannot comprehend You and do not understand Your ways, I nonetheless trust in Your mercy. If it is Your will, Lord, that I live always in such darkness, may You be blessed. I ask You only one thing, Jesus: do not allow me to offend You in any way. O my Jesus, You alone know the longings and the sufferings of my heart. I am glad I can suffer for You, however little. When I feel that the suffering is more than I can bear, I take refuge in the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and I speak to Him with profound silence.
72 O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages.
73 O my Jesus, despite the deep night that is all around me and the dark clouds which hide the horizon, I know that the sun never goes out. O Lord, though I cannot comprehend You and do not understand Your ways, I nonetheless trust in Your mercy. If it is Your will, Lord, that I live always in such darkness, may You be blessed. I ask You only one thing, Jesus: do not allow me to offend You in any way. O my Jesus, You alone know the longings and the sufferings of my heart. I am glad I can suffer for You, however little. When I feel that the suffering is more than I can bear, I take refuge in the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and I speak to Him with profound silence.
497 O Eternal Truth, Word Incarnate, who most
faithfully fulfilled Your Father's will, today I am becoming a martyr of Your
inspirations, since I cannot carry them out because I have no will of my own,
though interiorly I see Your will clearly. I submit in everything to the will
of my superiors and my confessor. I will follow Your will insofar as You will
permit me to do so through Your representative. O my Jesus, it cannot be
helped, but I give priority to the voice of the Church over the voice with
which You speak to me.
678 The essence of the virtues is the will of
God. He who does the will of God faithfully, practices all the virtues. In all
the events and circumstances of my life, I adore and bless the holy will of
God. The holy will of God is the object of my love. In the most secret depths
of my soul, I live according to His will. I act exteriorly according to what I
recognize inwardly as the will of God. Sweeter to me are the torments,
sufferings, persecutions and all manner of adversities by divine will than
popularity, praise and esteem by my own will.
724 On the eve of the retreat, I started to
pray that the Lord Jesus might give me just a little health so that I could
take part in the retreat, because I was feeling so ill that I thought perhaps
it might be my last. However, as soon as I had started praying I felt a strange
dissatisfaction. I interrupted the prayer of supplication and began to thank
the Lord for everything He sends me, submitting myself completely to His holy
will. Then I felt profound peace of soul. + Faithful submission to the will of
God, always and everywhere, in all events and circumstances of life, gives
great glory to God. Such submission to the will of God carries more weight with
Him than long fasts, mortifications and the most severe penances. Oh, how great
is the reward for one act of loving submission to the will of God! As I write,
my soul is enraptured at the thought of how much God loves it and of the peace
that my soul already enjoys, here on earth.
954 Today after Holy Communion, the Lord told me, My daughter, My
delight is to unite myself with you. It is when you submit yourself to My will
that you give Me the greatest glory and draw down upon yourself a sea of
blessings. I would not take such special delight in you if you were not living
by my will. O my sweet Guest, I am prepared for all sacrifices for Your
sake, but You know that I am weakness itself. Nevertheless, with You I can do
all things. O my Jesus, I beseech You, be with me at each instant.
1180 June [July] 15, 1937. Once, I learned that I was to be transferred
to another house. My knowledge of this was purely interior. At the same time, I
heard a voice in my soul: Do not be afraid, My daughter; it is My will that
you should remain here. Human plans will be thwarted, since they must conform
to My will.
1181 When I was close to the Lord, He said to me, Why are you afraid
to begin the work which I have commanded you to carry out? I answered,
"Why do You leave me on my own at such times, Jesus, and why do I not feel
Your presence?" My daughter, even though you do not perceive Me in the
most secret depths of your heart, you still cannot say that I am not there. I
only remove from you the awareness of My presence, and that should not be an
obstacle to the carrying out of My will. I do this to achieve My unfathomable
ends, which you will know of later on.
My daughter, know without doubt, and once and for all, that only mortal sin drives Me out of a soul, and nothing else.
1182 + Today the Lord said to me, My daughter, My pleasure and delight, nothing will stop Me from granting you graces. Your misery does not hinder My mercy. My daughter, write that the greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy; [urge] all souls to trust in the unfathomable abyss of My mercy, because I want to save them all. On the cross, the fountain of My mercy was opened wide by the lance for all souls-no one have I excluded!
1183 O Jesus, I want to live in the present moment, to live as if this were the last day of my life. I want to use every moment scrupulously for the greater glory of God, to use every circumstance for the benefit of my soul. I want to look upon everything, from the point of view that nothing happens without the will of God.
My daughter, know without doubt, and once and for all, that only mortal sin drives Me out of a soul, and nothing else.
1182 + Today the Lord said to me, My daughter, My pleasure and delight, nothing will stop Me from granting you graces. Your misery does not hinder My mercy. My daughter, write that the greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy; [urge] all souls to trust in the unfathomable abyss of My mercy, because I want to save them all. On the cross, the fountain of My mercy was opened wide by the lance for all souls-no one have I excluded!
1183 O Jesus, I want to live in the present moment, to live as if this were the last day of my life. I want to use every moment scrupulously for the greater glory of God, to use every circumstance for the benefit of my soul. I want to look upon everything, from the point of view that nothing happens without the will of God.
1184 On an earlier occasion.
In the evening, I saw the Lord Jesus upon the cross. From His hands, feet and side, the Most Sacred Blood was flowing. After some time, Jesus said to me, All this is for the salvation of souls. Consider well, My daughter, what you are doing for their salvation. I answered, "Jesus, when I look at Your suffering, I see that I am doing next to nothing for the salvation of souls." And the Lord said to me, Know, My daughter, that your silent day-to-day martyrdom in complete submission to My will ushers many souls into heaven. And when it seems to you that your suffering exceeds your strength, contemplate My wounds, and you will rise above human scorn and judgment. Meditation on My Passion will help you rise above all things. I understood many things I had been unable to comprehend before.
In the evening, I saw the Lord Jesus upon the cross. From His hands, feet and side, the Most Sacred Blood was flowing. After some time, Jesus said to me, All this is for the salvation of souls. Consider well, My daughter, what you are doing for their salvation. I answered, "Jesus, when I look at Your suffering, I see that I am doing next to nothing for the salvation of souls." And the Lord said to me, Know, My daughter, that your silent day-to-day martyrdom in complete submission to My will ushers many souls into heaven. And when it seems to you that your suffering exceeds your strength, contemplate My wounds, and you will rise above human scorn and judgment. Meditation on My Passion will help you rise above all things. I understood many things I had been unable to comprehend before.
1199 [July] 29. I am to leave for Rabka today. I went into the chapel
and asked the Lord Jesus for a safe journey. But within my soul there was
silence and darkness. I felt I was all alone and had no one [to turn to]. I
asked Jesus to be with me. Then I felt a tiny ray of light in my soul as a sign
that Jesus was with me but, after this grace, the darkness and shadows in my
soul increased. Then I said, "Your will be done, for everything is
possible to You." When I was on the train and gazed through the window at
the beautiful countryside and the mountains, the torments of my soul grew even
greater. As the sisters welcomed me and began to surround me with their warmth,
my sufferings redoubled.
1200 I would have like to hide and rest for a while in solitude, in a word, to be alone. At such moments, no creature is capable of giving me comfort, and even if I had wanted to say something about myself, I would have experienced new anguish. Therefore, I have kept silent at such moments and submitted myself, in silence, to the will of God-and that has given me relief. I demand nothing from creatures and communicate with them only in so far as is necessary. I will not take them into my confidence unless this is for the greater glory of God. My communing is with the angels [cf. Mt. 18:10; Ex. 23:20].
1200 I would have like to hide and rest for a while in solitude, in a word, to be alone. At such moments, no creature is capable of giving me comfort, and even if I had wanted to say something about myself, I would have experienced new anguish. Therefore, I have kept silent at such moments and submitted myself, in silence, to the will of God-and that has given me relief. I demand nothing from creatures and communicate with them only in so far as is necessary. I will not take them into my confidence unless this is for the greater glory of God. My communing is with the angels [cf. Mt. 18:10; Ex. 23:20].
1202 I could not even go to Holy Mass or receive Holy Communion today
but, amidst the sufferings of body and soul, I kept on repeating, "May the
Lord's will be done. I know that Your bounty is without limit." Then 1
heard an angel who sang out my whole life history and everything it comprised.
I was surprised, but also strengthened.
1204 A retreat of suffering. O Jesus, in these days of suffering, I am
not capable of any kind of prayer. The oppression of my body and soul has
increased. O my Jesus, You do see that Your child is on the decline. I am not
forcing myself further, but simply submitting my will to the will of Jesus. O
Jesus, You are always Jesus to me.
1205 When I went to confession, I did not even know how to confess. However, the priest [probably Father Casimir Ratkiewicz [205]] recognized the condition of my soul at once and said to me, "Despite everything, you are on the way to salvation; you are on the right path, but God may leave your soul in this darkness and obscurity until death, and the former light may never return. But in all things abandon yourself to the will of God."
1205 When I went to confession, I did not even know how to confess. However, the priest [probably Father Casimir Ratkiewicz [205]] recognized the condition of my soul at once and said to me, "Despite everything, you are on the way to salvation; you are on the right path, but God may leave your soul in this darkness and obscurity until death, and the former light may never return. But in all things abandon yourself to the will of God."
1207 August 10. Today I am returning to Cracow, in the company of one
of the sisters. My soul is shrouded in suffering. I am continually uniting
myself to Him by an act of the will. He is my power and strength.
1208 May You be blessed, O God, for everything You send me. Nothing under the sun happens without Your will. I cannot penetrate Your secrets with regard to myself, but I press my lips to the chalice You offer me.
1208 May You be blessed, O God, for everything You send me. Nothing under the sun happens without Your will. I cannot penetrate Your secrets with regard to myself, but I press my lips to the chalice You offer me.
1237 O Jesus, what darkness is enveloping me and what nothingness is
penetrating me. But, my Jesus, do not leave me alone; grant me the grace of
faithfulness. Although I cannot penetrate the mystery of God's visitation, it
is in my power to say: Your will be done.
1239 O living Host, O hidden Jesus. You see the condition of my soul.
Of myself, I am unable to utter Your Holy Name. I cannot bring forth from my
heart the fire of love but, kneeling at Your feet, I cast upon the Tabernacle
the gaze of my soul, a gaze of faithfulness. As for You, You are ever the same,
while within my soul a change takes place. I trust that the time will come when
You will unveil Your countenance, and Your child will again see Your sweet
face. I am astonished, Jesus, that You can hide yourself from me for so long
and that You can restrain the enormous love You have for me. In the dwelling of
my heart, I am listening and waiting for Your coming, O only Treasure of my
heart!
1241 + 0 my Jesus, when someone is unkind and unpleasant toward us, it
is difficult enough to bear this kind of suffering. But this is very little in
comparison to a suffering which I cannot bear; namely, that which I experience
when someone exhibits kindness towards me and then lays snares at my feet at
every step I take. What great will power is necessary to love such a soul for
God's sake. Many a time one has to be heroic in loving such a soul as God
demands. If contact with that person were infrequent, it would be easier to
endure, but when one lives in close contact with the person and experiences
this at each step, this demands a very great effort.
1243 "These times of dryness and stark awareness of one's
wretchedness, which God has permitted, allow the soul to know how little it can
do by itself. They will teach you how much you should appreciate God's graces.
Secondly, faithfulness in all exercises and duties, faithfulness in everything,
just as in times of joy. Thirdly, as regards the matters in question, be
absolutely obedient to the Archbishop [Jalbrzykowski] although, from time to
time, the matter can be brought to his attention, but peacefully. Sometimes, a
little bitter truth is necessary."
At the end of the conversation, I asked the priest to allow me to commune with Jesus as I had done formerly. He answered, "I cannot give orders to the Lord Jesus, but if He himself draws you to himself you may follow the attraction. However, always remember to show Him great reverence, for the Lord is great indeed. If you are truly seeking God's will in all this and desire to fulfill it, you can be at peace; the Lord will not allow any sort of error. As to the mortifications and sufferings, you will give me an account next time of how you carry them out. Place yourself in the hands of the Most Holy Mother."
At the end of the conversation, I asked the priest to allow me to commune with Jesus as I had done formerly. He answered, "I cannot give orders to the Lord Jesus, but if He himself draws you to himself you may follow the attraction. However, always remember to show Him great reverence, for the Lord is great indeed. If you are truly seeking God's will in all this and desire to fulfill it, you can be at peace; the Lord will not allow any sort of error. As to the mortifications and sufferings, you will give me an account next time of how you carry them out. Place yourself in the hands of the Most Holy Mother."
1244 August 15, 1937. During meditation, God's presence pervaded me
keenly, and I was aware of the Virgin Mary's joy at the moment of Her
Assumption. Towards the end of the ceremony carried out in honor of the Mother
of God, I saw the Virgin Mary, and She said to me, Oh, how very pleased I am
with the homage of your love! And at that moment She covered all the sisters of
our Congregation with Her mantle. With Her right hand, She clasped Mother
General Michael to herself, and with Her left hand She did so to me, while all
the sisters were at Her feet, covered with Her mantle. Then the Mother of God
said, Everyone who perseveres zealously till death in My Congregation will
be spared the fire of purgatory, and I desire that each one distinguish herself
by the following virtues: humility and meekness; chastity and love of God and
neighbor; compassion and mercy. After these words, the whole Congregation
disappeared from my sight, and I remained alone with the Most Holy Mother who
instructed me about the will of God and how to apply it to my life, submitting
completely to His most holy decrees. It is impossible for one to please God
without obeying His holy will. My daughter, I strongly recommend that you
faithfully fulfill all God's wishes, for that is most pleasing in His holy
eyes. I very much desire that you distinguish yourself in this faithfulness in
accomplishing God's will. Put the will of God before all sacrifices and
holocausts. While the heavenly Mother was talking to me, a deep
understanding of this will of God was entering my soul.
1255 "As concerns yourself, Sister, it is good that you are
remaining in a state of holy indifference in everything that pertains to the
will of God, and that you are better maintaining a state of equilibrium. Please
do your best to keep this equanimity. Now, as regards all these matters, you
are to depend exclusively on Father Andrasz; I am in complete agreement with
him. Do nothing on your own, Sister, but in all matters take counsel from your
spiritual director. I beg you to keep your levelheadedness and as great a calm
as possible.One more thing-I am having printed the chaplet which is to be on
the back of the image, as well as the invocations that resemble a litany; these
too will be placed on the back. Another large image has also been printed, and
with it a few pages which contain the Novena to The Divine Mercy. [208] Pray, Sister, that this be approved."
1256 [August] 30. Reverend Father Sopocko left this morning. When I was steeped in a prayer of thanksgiving for the great grace that I had received from God; namely, that of seeing Father, I became united in a special way with the Lord who said to me, He is a priest after My own Heart; his efforts are pleasing to Me. You see, My daughter, that My will must be done and that which I had promised you, I shall do. Through him I spread comfort to suffering and careworn souls. Through him it pleased Me to proclaim the worship of My mercy. And through this work of mercy more souls will come close to Me than otherwise would have, even if he had kept giving absolution day and night for the rest of his life, because by so doing, he would have labored only for as long as he lived; whereas, thanks to this work of mercy, he will be laboring till the end of the world.
1256 [August] 30. Reverend Father Sopocko left this morning. When I was steeped in a prayer of thanksgiving for the great grace that I had received from God; namely, that of seeing Father, I became united in a special way with the Lord who said to me, He is a priest after My own Heart; his efforts are pleasing to Me. You see, My daughter, that My will must be done and that which I had promised you, I shall do. Through him I spread comfort to suffering and careworn souls. Through him it pleased Me to proclaim the worship of My mercy. And through this work of mercy more souls will come close to Me than otherwise would have, even if he had kept giving absolution day and night for the rest of his life, because by so doing, he would have labored only for as long as he lived; whereas, thanks to this work of mercy, he will be laboring till the end of the world.
1262 September 3. First Friday of the month. During Holy Mass, I became
united with God. Jesus gave me to know that even the smallest thing does not
happen on earth without His will. After having seen this, my soul entered into
an unusual repose; I found myself completely at peace as to the work in its
full extent. God can deal with me as He pleases, and I will bless Him for
everything.
1264 Act of total abandonment to the will of God, which is for me, love
and mercy itself.
Act of Oblation
Jesus-Host, whom I have this very moment received into my heart, through this union with You I offer myself to the heavenly Father as a sacrificial host, abandoning myself totally and completely to the most merciful and holy will of my God. From today onward, Your will, Lord, is my food. Take my whole being; dispose of me as You please. Whatever Your fatherly hand gives me, I will accept with submission, peace and joy. I fear nothing, no matter in what direction You lead me; helped by Your grace I will carry out everything You demand of me. I no longer fear any of Your inspirations nor do I probe anxiously to see where they will lead me. Lead me, O God, along whatever roads You please; I have placed all my trust in Your will which is, for me, love and mercy itself.
Bid me to stay in this convent, I will stay; bid me to undertake the work, I will undertake it; leave me in uncertainty about the work until I die, be blessed; give me death when, humanly speaking, my life seems particularly necessary, be blessed. Should You take me in my youth, be blessed; should You let me live to a ripe old age, be blessed. Should You give me health and strength, be blessed; should You confine me to a bed of pain for my whole life, be blessed. Should you give only failures and disappointments in life, be blessed. Should You allow my purest intentions to be condemned, be blessed. Should You enlighten my mind, be blessed. Should You leave me in darkness and all kinds of torments, be blessed.
From this moment on, I live in the deepest peace, because the Lord himself is carrying me in the hollow of His hand. He, Lord of unfathomable mercy, knows that I desire Him alone in all things, always and everywhere.
1265 Prayer. O Jesus, stretched out upon the cross, I implore You, give me the grace of doing faithfully the most holy will of Your Father, in all things, always and everywhere. And when this will of God will seem to me very harsh and difficult to fulfill, it is then I beg You, Jesus, may power and strength flow upon me from Your wounds, and may my lips keep repeating, "Your will be done, O Lord." O Savior of the world, Lover of man's salvation, who in such terrible torment and pain forget Yourself to think only of the salvation of souls, O most compassionate Jesus, grant me the grace to forget myself that I may live totally for souls, helping You in the work of salvation, according to the most holy will of Your Father....
1266 August 5, [1937]. [209] The Lord let me know how much our dear Mother Superior [Irene] is defending me against... not only by prayer but also by deed. Thank You, Jesus, for this grace. It will not go unrequited in my heart; when I am with Jesus, I do not forget about her.
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.
Act of Oblation
Jesus-Host, whom I have this very moment received into my heart, through this union with You I offer myself to the heavenly Father as a sacrificial host, abandoning myself totally and completely to the most merciful and holy will of my God. From today onward, Your will, Lord, is my food. Take my whole being; dispose of me as You please. Whatever Your fatherly hand gives me, I will accept with submission, peace and joy. I fear nothing, no matter in what direction You lead me; helped by Your grace I will carry out everything You demand of me. I no longer fear any of Your inspirations nor do I probe anxiously to see where they will lead me. Lead me, O God, along whatever roads You please; I have placed all my trust in Your will which is, for me, love and mercy itself.
Bid me to stay in this convent, I will stay; bid me to undertake the work, I will undertake it; leave me in uncertainty about the work until I die, be blessed; give me death when, humanly speaking, my life seems particularly necessary, be blessed. Should You take me in my youth, be blessed; should You let me live to a ripe old age, be blessed. Should You give me health and strength, be blessed; should You confine me to a bed of pain for my whole life, be blessed. Should you give only failures and disappointments in life, be blessed. Should You allow my purest intentions to be condemned, be blessed. Should You enlighten my mind, be blessed. Should You leave me in darkness and all kinds of torments, be blessed.
From this moment on, I live in the deepest peace, because the Lord himself is carrying me in the hollow of His hand. He, Lord of unfathomable mercy, knows that I desire Him alone in all things, always and everywhere.
1265 Prayer. O Jesus, stretched out upon the cross, I implore You, give me the grace of doing faithfully the most holy will of Your Father, in all things, always and everywhere. And when this will of God will seem to me very harsh and difficult to fulfill, it is then I beg You, Jesus, may power and strength flow upon me from Your wounds, and may my lips keep repeating, "Your will be done, O Lord." O Savior of the world, Lover of man's salvation, who in such terrible torment and pain forget Yourself to think only of the salvation of souls, O most compassionate Jesus, grant me the grace to forget myself that I may live totally for souls, helping You in the work of salvation, according to the most holy will of Your Father....
1266 August 5, [1937]. [209] The Lord let me know how much our dear Mother Superior [Irene] is defending me against... not only by prayer but also by deed. Thank You, Jesus, for this grace. It will not go unrequited in my heart; when I am with Jesus, I do not forget about her.
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.
1268 Today I felt more ill, but Jesus has given me many more
opportunities on this day to practice virtue. It so happened that I was busier
than usual, and the sister in charge of the kitchen made it clear to me how
irritated she was that I had come late for dinner, although it was quite
impossible for me to have come sooner. At any rate, I felt so unwell that I had
to ask Mother Superior to allow me to lie down. I went to ask Sister N. to take
my place, and again I got a scolding: "What is this, Sister, you're so exhausted
that you're going back to bed again! Confound you with all this lying in
bed!" I put up with all that, but that wasn't the end. I still had to ask
the sister who was in charge of the sick to bring me my meal. When I told her
this, she burst out of the chapel into the corridor after me to give me a piece
of her mind: "Why on earth are you going to bed, Sister, etc...... I asked
her not to bother bringing me anything. I am writing all this very briefly
because it is not my intention to write about such things, and I am doing so
merely to dissuade souls from treating others in this way, for this is
displeasing to the Lord. In a suffering soul we should see Jesus Crucified, and
not a loafer or burden on the community. A soul who suffers with submission to
the will of God draws down more blessings on the whole convent than all the
working sisters. Poor indeed is a convent where there are no sick sisters. God
often grants many and great graces out of regard for the souls who are
suffering, and He withholds many punishments solely because of the suffering
souls.
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-I-6, 25, 53-56, 72-73, 497)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-II-678, 954)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-III-1180,-1184, 1199-1200,
1202)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-III-1204-1205, 1207-1208)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-IV-1237, 1239, 1241,
1243-1244)
(Diary of Sister Faustina Kowalska Notebook-IV-1255-1256, 1262,
1264-1268)
