Author: diocesan-gainesville

Frederic Edwin Church, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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It must be your constant goal to know God.  Study of Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the lives of the saints all help in this endeavor.  But knowing God is not the ultimate goal of life.  Knowledge comes from faith and faith is a gift from God.  But being fully united to God in charity is of far greater importance.  They are not opposed, but they are not the same.  In fact, at times the Lord will darken one’s mind and not even allow it to understand Him so that He can, instead, transform the will so that this holy soul will choose Him and live a life of charity even in the darkness of faith.  This is a deep mystery (See Diary #1697).

Are there times when you feel as though you cannot understand God or His ways?  Do you experience a cloudy vision and dimmed intellect?  If so, this may be a grace of far greater value than you know.  It is in these moments, especially, that God invites you to love and to choose His Will despite the fog that appears to have set in.  Choose His Will and live charity even when it does not make perfect sense to you and the Lord will bring forth much Mercy through you.

Lord, I thank You for the times of clarity in life.  But even when my mind seems darkened and confused, I submit to Your holy Will.  Help me to love You and others in those moments so that my life may be a living instrument of Your pure Mercy.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30 through Christmas Eve.

Advent Resources

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Willuconquer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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The world is beautiful and reveals the beauty of God, but spiritual realities, such as the Holy Eucharist, are far more beautiful.  To see the beauty of God, present in the Most Holy Eucharist, you need eyes of faith.  One of the best ways to sharpen your vision of this beauty is through adoration.  Though receiving Holy Communion must be the ultimate union we experience with our Lord, adoration of Him, present in the Sacred Host, prepares you for this encounter by revealing His beauty.  Seek to adore Him exposed in the monstrance on the altar and let the eyes of your soul become enthralled by His beauty (See Diary #1692).

Do you ever participate in adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist?  If you have adoration regularly at your church, you are blessed.  If not, seek it out at a nearby church.  Adoration feeds your soul and reveals to you the beauty of God.  Reflect upon your experience of Eucharistic adoration and recommit yourself to a wholehearted participation in this glorious act.

Lord, I adore You with the most profound adoration as You are present before me in the Most Holy Eucharist.  I love You and seek to know Your hidden beauty and splendor.  You are glorious, dear Lord.  As I behold Your glory, draw me ever deeper into Your perfect Heart of Mercy.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Advent Resources

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30 through Christmas Eve.

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Édouard Manet, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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What is it that has the power to steal away the peace and calm of your heart?  What if you were insulted, ridiculed, falsely judged, imprisoned, beaten or even killed?  Would any of these rob the peace of God in your heart?  Only if you let it.  It is essential that you know and believe with firm faith that nothing can steal the peace of your heart unless you let it.  Your goal must be to be free from everything in this world.  You must be detached from all riches, honors, respect, fear and everything.  If you are fully detached then you are free to be fully attached to Christ and no matter what comes your way, no matter what happens to you, your single attachment to our Lord and His Will, can never be taken away from you unless you let it (See Diary #1685).

Reflect upon the things that have taken away your peace in the past.  Identifying these will help you realize what it is that you are attached to in an unhealthy way.  If, for example, public ridicule has stolen your peace, then you are too attached to your reputation.  If poverty has left you depressed, then you are too attached to money.  If the rejection of a friend or family member has turned you to anger, then you were too attached to this person.  This list could go on and on.  Though the spiritual goal of total detachment may be very hard to understand and even harder to accept, do not dismiss it too quickly.  Reflect upon attachments you have, even to apparent good things.  Realize that if the one attachment you have is to God, all good things will follow.

Lord, I choose You and Your Will as my one possession in life.  All else is passing and all else can be lost in an instant.  But You, oh Lord, are eternal and You can never be taken away if I choose You.  I love You, dear Lord, help me to remain firmly attached to You and Your Will.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30 through Christmas Eve.

Advent Resources

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Image via stjohnpaul.org/mercy

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It’s amazing to consider two facts side by side.  First, consider that Saint Faustina heard Jesus tell her, over and over, that He desired that the Feast of Divine Mercy be promulgated and celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter every year.  How was this lowly cloistered nun to accomplish such a task for the universal Church?  Second, when St. John Paul II canonized Saint Faustina on Divine Mercy Sunday, 2000, our Holy Father promulgated that the Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday was to become a universal feast of the Church.  God spoke this to the heart of Saint Faustina in silence and solitude over and over from 1931-1938.  Just over sixty years later, it came to be (See Diary #1680).

Reflect upon the fact that God often calls you to do far more than you could ever imagine doing on your own.  If you are attentive to His clear gentle Voice, and if you heed His commands, you will begin to discover that the Lord will do amazing things through your life.  They may not be extraordinarily public and noticeable by all, but they will be far more than you ever thought possible.  Do not be amazed at God’s Will for your life and do not hesitate to believe what He calls you to do.  Say “Yes” and leave the rest to Him. 

Lord, to whatever You call me I say “Yes.”  If Your Will is that I live a quiet hidden life, offering my daily duties as a sacrifice to You, I say “Yes.”  If it is Your Will that my life become very public and that You use me in this way for the good of the Church, then I say “Yes.”  Lord, my life is Yours, do with me what You will.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Saint of the Day – Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor—Memorial

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30 through Christmas Eve.

Advent Resources

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Jan van den Hoecke, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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There is no greater gift in this world than Holy Communion.  And yet we so often approach that Sacrament with a distracted and inattentive heart.  To overcome such a distraction you must first be convinced, with your entire mind, of the deep truths of the reality of Holy Communion.  You must submit, with deep faith, to the reality that God is there, fully, in veiled form, coming to unite Himself with you in the most profound way.  Second, as you believe, you must make an act of the will, choosing to receive Him not only into your body, but into every part of your being.  Believe and then choose and the Lord of Mercy will transform your life through your worthy reception of Holy Communion (See Diary #1676).

Reflect upon the past several times you have gone forward to receive our Lord in Holy Communion.  What was going through your mind at the time?  Where was your heart in these moments?  Renew your total trust in God as He comes to you through this most Precious Gift and resolve to receive Him more worthily the next time you receive this privilege.

Lord, please do renew my love for You as You come to me in Holy Communion.  May I understand You as You come to me in this Precious Gift and may I choose You with my entire will.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Saint of the Day – Saint Lucy of Syracuse, Virgin and Martyr—Memorial

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30 through Christmas Eve.

Advent Resources

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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One act of Mercy you can offer to others is to perceive the gifts of God in their lives and to rejoice in that fact.  Sadly, there can often be a temptation to be jealous or envious of others, especially when you see their natural talents or the grace of God in their lives.  But if you can look at them with humility, your heart will be moved to see God at work in them.  You will see their natural gifts as gifts from God given at the creation of their souls, and you will see their supernatural gifts as gifts from God given by His grace.  Seek to rejoice in the goodness of God alive in all His children and you will add to those gifts in their lives and also in yours (See Diary #1671).

What is your first reaction when you see either a natural talent or a supernatural grace in another?  Are you jealous or envious?  Or do you rejoice that you are blessed to see God at work?  Reflect honestly upon this question this day and seek the latter so that the Lord will bring forth even more blessings in your life and theirs.

Lord, I thank You for the way You are at work in all of Your children.  As I see Your hand and boundless gifts, give me the grace of a joyful heart so that I may rejoice in the good things You offer to all.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Saint of the Day – Our Lady of Guadalupe—USA Feast

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30 through Christmas Eve.

Advent Resources

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

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A great Christmas gift!

Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy:
365 Days with Saint Faustina

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Do you ever soak in God?  This is a rare and even non-existent experience for most people.  Soaking, or drowning in God means that you become immersed so deeply in prayer that it’s as if you are lost in His presence.  When this happens, the Lord fully takes you over and possesses your soul for that moment.  You may not remain this way and you may soon return to your sins, but moments of pure contemplation are treasures in this life beyond anything else.  It’s a way that God gives you a taste of His glory so that you are left desiring Him all the more (See Diary #1669).

Consider the question of whether or not you have ever allowed yourself to be so drawn into the presence of God that you lose track of time and space.  It’s as if you were transported to the Heart of Christ and rested in His bosom.  If you have never entered this depth of prayer know that it awaits you.  The Lord’s love is so deep and so perfect that, when you experience but a taste, you will be coming back for more as often as you can.

Lord, draw me into Your presence.  Help me to know You and Your perfect love.  Help me to experience You in perfect adoration and praise.  May I receive but a glimpse of Your glory and savor that delight evermore.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Saint of the Day – Saint Damasus I, Pope

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30 through Christmas Eve.

Advent Resources

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

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That may sound like an unusual heading.  You should be concerned about sin inasmuch as you should diligently seek to avoid it.  But if you were to realize that your understanding of the Mercy of God is but a drop of water compared to the ocean, you would not allow your concerns to turn into worries.  To be concerned is to be conscientious and being conscientious is a grace.  But when you look at your sin, honestly and thoroughly, in the light of the Mercy of God, you will never worry that your sin is too much for God.  His greatest desire is to wipe it away in an instant, forever (See Diary #1665).

Reflect upon whether you are comfortable facing your sins with exceptional honesty.  If you are not then that is a sign that you do not understand His infinite Mercy.  Know that comprehending His Mercy is the best cure for every sin.

Lord, I see my sin but I want to see it more clearly.  Give me the grace of knowing Your perfect Mercy so that I can face my sin without worry and without fear.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30 through Christmas Eve.

Advent Resources

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

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A great Christmas gift!

Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy:
365 Days with Saint Faustina

St Paul Miki and Companion Martyrs by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

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It’s easy to be grateful only when things go well.  But when times are tough we tend to turn in on ourselves in self-pity.  But you must learn to glorify the Lord in all things.  There are countless blessings and graces that God gives you for which you must experience immense gratitude.  Family blessings, spiritual consolations, fulfillment of duties, etc., must all be occasions of gratitude.  But gratitude must permeate everything in life, even hardships.  Seek to glorify the Lord not only because of the “good things of life,” but also throughout the difficult things.  Everything can be used by God for His glory and we must rejoice in that fact day and night (See Diary #1661-1662).

Reflect upon this “challenge.”  Can you find joy in all things and offer praise and gratitude to God no matter what?  God is worth it and He deserves your continual praise.  He never leaves you and when you realize this it will be the source of unending praise and thanksgiving.

Lord, I adore You, worship You, praise You and thank You for all things in my life.  Thank You for the blessings and for always being there when life is hard.  Help me to grow in my gratitude for You and to rejoice always for Your Mercy.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Saint of the Day –  Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary—Solemnity
(Patronal Feast of the United States—Always a Holy Day of Obligation)

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30 through Christmas Eve.

Advent Resources

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today

 

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A great Christmas gift!

Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy:
365 Days with Saint Faustina

Image via needpix.com

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Normally we do not put the words “passion” and “refreshment” together.  How could the Passion of Christ be refreshing?  It is only horrific and sorrowful from an earthly perspective.  The Lord suffered greatly and our blessed Mother suffered with Him with the most sorrowful heart.  But they both took great refreshment in this act also.  This is because the Passion is pure love.  And love refreshes us like nothing other.  When you meditate on the Passion of our Lord you also offer joy and refreshment to His suffering soul and your own crosses are transformed as you enter into His (See Diary #1657).

Never stop reflecting upon the Passion of our Lord.  It must become an image that is imbedded upon your heart.  Reflect on how often you do meditate on this act of pure love.  Do you understand it?  Do you see the love and compassion that brought our Lord to such a gift?  Put your eyes on the Passion today and never take them off this refreshing act of perfect Mercy. 

Lord, help me to see Your Passion for what it is.  Please peel back the veil of Your suffering and pain so that I may see the love that led You to this moment.  As I gaze upon this beauty may I bring You delight and be transformed by Your Mercy.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Novena to the Immaculate Conception
November 29-December 7

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30 through Christmas Eve.

Advent Resources

More Divine Mercy Reflections

Daily Gospel Reflections

Saints/Feasts for Today