Author: diocesan-gainesville

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The Mercy of the Heart of Jesus shines forth with great radiance.  This was the image of Divine Mercy seen by Saint Faustina.  The open Heart of our Lord burst forth with an outpouring of light and grace on the world.  Jesus wants to continue to shine forth on the world, and He wants to rest in your heart so that He may shine on others through you (See Diary #514).

What is in your heart?  Is it bitterness and pain?  Is it sin and darkness?  Or is it the Heart of our Lord?  Does Jesus live in your heart?  These questions are so very important to answer honestly.  If you cannot honestly say that the Heart of Jesus rests in your heart, then this is an important revelation to ponder.  Seek to let His Heart melt away any sin and dispel any darkness.  In their place, let His light shine forth.  When the Heart of Jesus rests in yours, your heart will radiate Mercy and bathe others in its rays.

Lord, as I look at my heart, I see sin and darkness at times.  Come live in my heart, dispel all darkness and wipe away all sin.  As You take possession of my heart, shine forth Your Divine rays of Mercy upon me, and upon a world in need.  I give my heart to You, dear Lord.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Easter Season Prayers

Scripture Meditations for the Easter Season

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Featured image above: Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Kraków-Łagiewniki, via flickr

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When a child is frightened or gets hurt, the natural place of comfort is the arms of a parent.  This is the first thing a crying child looks for.  So it must be with us.  The arms of our Father in Heaven, and Jesus our Savior, are what we must run to in our need.  We should not hesitate to turn to God in all things, especially when tempted to despair, or when we recognize our weakness and sin (See Diary #505).

When burdens weigh you down, or when you get angry or are tempted to despair, where do you turn?  Some turn to sinful fleshly comforts, others to harsh words, and others run to God.  Run to God in every moment!  Ideally, we run to Him when life is good and when we are filled with great joy and consolation.  But God also wants us to run to Him, immediately, when life is hard.  Make the arms of God the first thing you think about when you find yourself in need.

Lord, I do run to You.  I pray that I will daily build a habit of running to You in all things.  I pray that I will turn to You with my every need.  I cling to You, Divine Lord, and seek to rely upon You always.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Easter Season Prayers

Scripture Meditations for the Easter Season

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Featured image above: St Joseph carrying the Child Jesus on the left arm By Peter van Lint, via Wikimedia Commons

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God has spoken to the saints in numerous ways including through many interior graces and inspirations.  But even the greatest mystic, living on the heights of holiness, must ultimately submit to the Voice of God spoken through His Church.  The Church, especially in the person of our Holy Father, is the clearest channel of the Voice of God in our world.  Through the Church we will be led to Heaven.  We must always strive to be in perfect union with Christ as He is alive and made manifest to us through His Church.  We must let ourselves be led by God through our bishops, pastors and all to whom He has entrusted our pastoral care.  Giving authority to the Church was God’s idea and plan; it must also become ours (See Diary #497).

Do you see the wisdom of the plan of God as He has chosen to reveal Himself to us through the Church?  Do you believe in the Church as the Mother and Teacher of your faith?  Do you especially trust in the words of our Holy Father, the Pope?  Make an act of faith, this day, putting your wholehearted trust in the Voice of God spoken through His Church and you will begin to more fully understand the countless mysteries of life that God has revealed.

Dear Lord, I desire to be obedient to You in all things.  I desire to hear Your Voice and follow Your commands.  Help me to have the wisdom to discern You speaking and acting through Your Church.  May I see beyond the person of the priest, bishop and the Holy Father so as to discover Your guiding hand.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Easter Season Prayers

Scripture Meditations for the Easter Season

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Featured image above: Christ Handing the Keys to St. Peter; Artist: Pietro Vannucci, via Wikipedia

“The Confession, by Molteni Giuseppe, via Wikimedia”

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God sends to us His representatives in the person of His priests.  Though priests are not perfect, they are God’s representatives nonetheless.  This is especially true in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  It’s essential that we approach that Sacrament with confidence and honesty.  We must allow the confessor to see the sin in our souls so that he can enter, cleanse and heal by the sacred power of absolution (See Diary #494-496).

Do you go to confession?  If so, how often?  Do you clean your house more often than you clean your soul?  The Lord has given you an immeasurable gift in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  He invites you to receive this gift with an open heart.  Do not fear this invitation; rather, run to it with eager anticipation of the many graces our Lord wishes to bestow.  And do so as regularly as you can.

Lord, why do I fear Your Mercy as it is bestowed through the Sacrament of Reconciliation?  Why do I fear Your sacred Mercy poured forth through the act of absolution?  Give me courage and humility so that I may confess my sins clearly and completely and so be cleansed and restored to Your Heart.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Easter Season Prayers

Scripture Meditations for the Easter Season

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Featured image above: The Confession, by Molteni Giuseppe, via Wikimedia

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Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy:
365 Days with Saint Faustina

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Each night, as you go to sleep, you are invited to sleep in the grace and Mercy of our Lord.  You are invited to rest in His arms so as to be rejuvenated and refreshed.  Sleep is an image of prayer and, in fact, can become a form of prayer.  To rest is to rest in God.  Every beat of your heart must become a prayer to God and every beat of His Heart must become the rhythm of your rest (See Diary #486).

Do you sleep in the presence of God?  Think about it.  When you retire to bed, do you pray?  Do you ask our Lord to surround you with His grace and to embrace you with His gentle arms?  God has spoken to the saints of old through their dreams.  He has put holy men and women into a deep rest so as to restore them and strengthen them.  Try to invite our Lord into your mind and heart as you lay your head down to sleep, this night.  And as you wake, let Him be the first one whom you greet.  Allow each night’s rest to be a resting in His Divine Mercy.

Lord, I thank You for the rhythm of each day.  I thank You for the ways You walk with me throughout my day and I thank You for being with me while I rest.  I offer to You, this night, my rest and my dreams.  I invite You to hold me close to You, that Your Heart of Mercy may be the gentle sound which soothes my weary soul.  Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Easter Season Prayers

Scripture Meditations for the Easter Season

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Featured image above: The Dream of St. Joseph by Luca Giordano, via Wikimedia Commons

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What would you experience if God were to fully dwell in the depths of your soul?  Peace, joy and amazement!  And from these gifts, and from the indwelling of the Trinity, you would have courage in the face of hardship, strength to cast out fear and an impenetrable defense against the evil one, against his lies and his snares.  You will not be free from temptation and suffering, but you will overcome them since God alone dwells within you, and He will be your protection and joy (See Diary #480).

Has the Most Holy Trinity taken possession of your soul?  If so, there will be no room for sin or fear.  You will see the fruits of this indwelling in your daily life and you will be at peace.  If you do not see God at work in your life in this way, invite Him to enter.  This is not a one time invitation; rather, it must become your daily habit and sincere desire.  Do not tire of inviting God to dwell within you.

Lord, Your presence in my life is the greatest Mercy I could ever receive.  There is nothing greater than You living in me.  I thank You that You desire to be one with me and to take possession of my life.  I give myself to You freely and without reserve, for You are my God and my all.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Easter Season Prayers

Scripture Meditations for the Easter Season

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Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Featured image above: By Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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Prayer is essential to our Christian walk.  When you pray, it is good to speak from the heart, pouring out your soul to God.  But prayer must also follow your faith and all you know of God.  It must reflect your true knowledge of God and call upon His Mercy.  The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is one such prayer that perfectly reflects your faith in the Mercy of God.  (See Diary #475-476).

Do you pray?  Do you pray every day?  Is your prayer centered in faith and truth, enabling you to continually call on the Mercy of God?  If you do not pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, try it every day for a week.  Be faithful and trust in the faith revealed in the words spoken.  You will see the doors of God’s Mercy open if you commit yourself to this prayer.

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.  For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have Mercy on us and on the whole world.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

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Featured image above: By Myriam Zilles from Pixabay

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Communion with the Trinity must be the central purpose of our lives.  And though we may converse and speak words to Them, the deepest form of communication is beyond words.  It’s a union, a giving of ourselves and a basking in Their Mercy.  Knowing and conversing with the Trinity must take place in the depths of our souls through a language that is understood in a way that words cannot contain (See Diary #472).

Do you know God?  Do you know the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?  Are you in daily communion with Them, speaking to Them, hearing Them?  Reflect upon your knowledge of the Divine Persons of the Trinity.  Each “speaks” in His own way.  Each one calls to you, communing with you, loving you.  Let your soul come to know the Persons of the Holy Trinity.  A relationship with Them will fulfill the deepest longings of your soul.

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, please come and dwell within my soul.  Help me to know You and love You in the depths of my being.  I desire to be in communion with You and to hear You speak Your mysterious language of love.  Most Holy Trinity, I trust in You.

Easter Season Prayers

Scripture Meditations for the Easter Season

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

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Featured image: “Holy Trinity” by John Cornelisz Vermeyen, via Wikimedia Commons

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If you were God, and you had some glorious task you wanted accomplished, who would you choose?  Someone with manifest gifts?  Or someone who is weak, humble and appears to have very few natural gifts?  Surprisingly, God most often chooses the weak for the greatest tasks.  This is one way through which He is able to manifest His almighty power (See Diary #464).

Reflect, today, upon whether you have a high and lofty view of yourself and your abilities.  If so, be careful. God has a hard time using someone who thinks this way.  Seek to see your lowliness and humble yourself before the glory of God.  He wants to use you for great things, but only if you allow Him to be the one who acts in and through you.  That way, the glory belongs with Him and the work is accomplished according to His perfect wisdom and is a fruit of His abundant Mercy.

Lord, I offer myself for Your service.  Help me to always come to You in humility, acknowledging my weakness and sin.  In this humble state, please shine through so that Your glory and power will do great things.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Easter Season Prayers

Scripture Meditations for the Easter Season

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Featured image above: : Prodigal Son; Artist: Salvatore Rosa, via  Wikimedia Commons

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Very often, God wants to speak to You a particular message that you need to hear.  It may happen that, as you listen to a homily, read a book, hear something on the radio or talk with a friend, something particular will jump out at you that does not seem to affect others.  Pay attention to this inspiration, it is a gift to you of God’s Mercy and a revelation of His love for you (See Diary #456).

Reflect upon anything, lately, that has gotten your attention.  Have you heard something that seemed to be spoken just for you?  Is there something that has been on your mind?  If so, spend time with that thought and try to discern if it is from the Lord and what He may be saying to you through it.  This may be God’s voice speaking to you and an act of His great Mercy.

Lord, I desire to hear Your voice.  Help me to be attentive to Your word as it is spoken to me.  When You speak, help me to listen and to respond to You with generosity and love.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Scripture Meditations for the Easter Season

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Featured image above: Junnifer Baya from Pixabay