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What do you do after receiving Holy Communion?  Do you go back to your pew in a distracted way, with your mind wandering, paying attention to others around you, and failing to encounter our Lord on an authentic spiritual level?  Or do you allow that moment to be a moment of true prayer and communion with God?  If the truth is the former, just be honest with yourself and with God and use this realization for an opportunity to reexamine your approach to this most sacred Gift!  The moment after Holy Communion is a treasured moment in which each soul is invited to be consumed by Him who was just consumed.  In other words, the act of receiving Holy Communion is not just the physical act we do, it must also become something God does to us.  We must choose to not only consume our Lord, we must also allow Him to consume us with His Mercy.  There is no better time to do this than the moments after receiving this priceless Gift.  This is accomplished by making your life an oblation to God.  An “oblation” is an offering, and the reception of Holy Communion must become a moment in which we completely offer ourselves to our Divine Lord (See Diary #1264).

Reflect upon the last time you received Holy Communion.  What was that experience like?  Did you have a complete focus on what you were doing?  Did you offer yourself to our Lord as an oblation of love?  Did you place yourself into the hands of our Lord in a sacrificial way?  Did you allow our Lord to consume you with His merciful love?  Ponder these questions and commit yourself to this depth of offering.  If you do, Holy Communion will become the greatest act of Mercy in your life.

My Lord and my God, I give myself to You with total abandon and surrender.  My life is Yours, dear Lord.  I give myself to You without reserve as an oblation of love.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Featured image above: Charles Borromeo gives the holy communion to Aloysius Gonzaga by G.dallorto, via Wikimedia Commons

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It’s important to know that Jesus has every right to bring forth His justice here and now.  He has every right to be severe with us on account of our sins and to bring eternal judgment upon us.  This truth is often forgotten on account of His Mercy.  But we should never forget this fact.  It’s important to remember this because unless we understand the absolute right that God has to execute swift and irrevocable judgment on the world, we will never understand that His restraint is an act of immeasurable Mercy.  The Mother of God is especially entrusted with the responsibility of praying for His Mercy and pleading on our behalf that her Son’s wrath be withheld.  God gave to her this responsibility of intercession for us and He listens to those prayers.  He also calls each one of us to pray for Mercy in the world and, though our prayers are not as powerful as the Mother of God, they can be if we place them in her Immaculate Heart.  Giving our Blessed Mother our prayers magnifies their power and transforms them into an instrument of unfathomable grace, holding back the hand of the Justice of God (See Diary #1261).

Do you understand the right that God has to bring sudden and severe judgment upon you?  That may not be pleasant to think about but it’s important to understand.  Ponder this fact today.  Believe it and know that He withholds His judgment on account of His Mercy.  Seek the prayers of our Blessed Mother, this day, and offer her your own prayers.  Through your prayers, offered through her intercession, God’s justice is withheld and His Mercy will be bestowed in our time.

Dearest Mother, I offer you, this day, all my prayers, works and sacrifices so that you may in turn offer them to Your Son.  Please pray for me and for all your children that the justice of Your Son will be withheld as His Mercy is poured forth.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Featured image above: Stained glass panel in the transept of St. John’s Anglican Church, Ashfield, New South Wales, via Wikimedia Commons

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If you labor, day and night, spreading the works of God, this is good.  Good fruit will come from your commitment to serve the Will of God and to spread His Divine Mercy.  But we should also realize that God is able to use us to spread His Mercy until the end of the world.  How?  Only God knows.  But He does desire to use you for this purpose.  Some, like Saint Faustina, were used to set in motion devotion to Divine Mercy and that devotion will continue until Jesus returns.  Others, and perhaps most of us, are called to contribute to the perpetual work of Mercy in various other ways.  For example, one act of charity will bring about a good in another’s life that could change them in such a way that it will set in motion an eternal work of Mercy.  Or consider your prayer for those entrusted with special responsibility such as praying for the Pope, bishops or priests.  Or consider the fact that your holiness achieved here and now will be magnified in Heaven and will enable you to intercede for the Church for all time.  Be diligent now in your work of spreading the Mercy of God but also be aware that this work must continue on into eternity.  Focus on this as your goal and God will use your present labors in unimaginable ways throughout time (See Diary #1256).

When you think about the work that God has entrusted to you, do you see it as something that can have eternal consequences?  Do you see yourself as a “link in a chain” by which God desires to strengthen the Church throughout time?  Be open to this goal and allow the Lord to use you in ways you could never dream up yourself.

Lord, my life is Yours.  I give myself to You for the purpose of spreading Your Mercy now and for eternity.  Use me as You will, dear Lord.  I offer myself as a willing instrument of Your Mercy in our world.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Featured image above: Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

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How would you treat someone you love?  Typically, with family or very close friends we desire that which is best for them and that which makes them happy.  God desires the same for each one of us, but we may be surprised at what God sees as the source of our happiness and what He deems to be best for us.  Furthermore, though God’s love is perfect for every soul, it’s also accurate to say that God’s love deepens for those who draw close to Him.  It’s not that His love changes, it’s that His love is received and encountered on a deeper level.  When this happens, God is able to manifest His love in a profound way.  And when God’s love is received by a soul on the deepest level, it’s often a love that calls that soul into suffering.  If that surprises you just think about the Father’s perfect love for Jesus.  The Father, in His perfect love for the Son, called Him to the Cross.  But in that Cross, Jesus’ human soul was able to manifest the love of the Father in the most profound way.  This is a mystery hard to understand, so if it’s difficult to immediately grasp do not worry.  Just know that God often allows great spiritual suffering in the lives of those who have been drawn into a deep intimacy with Him (See Diary #1253).

Reflect upon the perfect love of the Father calling His Son to the Cross.  Sit with that and seek to penetrate its meaning.  If you can understand how the love of the Father could call the Son to this sacrifice, then you will begin to understand God’s perfect love for you as He calls you to a life of sacrifice.  Do not think that God’s love will make your life “easy.”  His love will make your life glorious, but most likely through suffering.

Father, the mystery of the sufferings of Jesus, Your Son, is beyond my comprehension.  Help me to understand Your mysterious Will more fully and to see that suffering in this life is often a sign of Your love.  Keep my eyes on the Cross in all things, dear Lord.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Featured image above: The Blessed Trinity, via flickr

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It’s been said that “beauty” is in the eye of the beholder.  In other words, some say that the definition of beauty depends upon the subjective preference of one person or another.  Though there may be some truth to this on a more superficial level, on a deeper level true beauty comes from God and is objective in every way.  It’s not dependent upon our personal preference; rather, it depends upon God.  The more something or someone resembles God and His Mercy, the more beautiful it is.  This is important to know in regard to our souls.  We all want to be perceived as “beautiful” by others.  But we must also understand that this is only possible through a life of holiness.  And what’s amazing is that the beauty of each person is unique.  In Heaven, we will not all be the same; rather, the uniqueness of each person will shine forth the radiance of God in a special way, unique only to that person.  Seek to allow the beauty and splendor of God to shine forth through your life so that you will be an instrument of His glory (See Diary #1251).

Do you desire to be beautiful?  Perhaps this is a question more easily answered by women than men, since it is a word more common to women.  But reflect upon the question.  As you do, try to look at beauty from a different perspective.  On the deepest level, it’s not a natural physical attractiveness. True beauty is a sharing in the glory of God and allowing that glory to shine through your soul as light shines through a prism.  Seek to let God shine through you so that the beauty of God will bless others with His Mercy in a unique and profound way.

Lord, You are the glory and splendor of my soul.  Your beauty is awe-inspiring and radiant in every way.  Come live in me and shine through me so that others will see Your transforming beauty in my life.  I offer myself to You, dear Lord, as an instrument of Your glory.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Featured image above: Ecstasy of Saint Peter of Alcántara by Francesco Fontebasso, via Wikimedia Commons

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How do you overcome your sins?  Every sin is different and requires specific prayer and sacrifice so as to detach from them.  Three common sins are: those of the flesh, those of anger and those of pride.  Each one of these sins can be overcome but may require special attention.  If you struggle with sins of the flesh, try to fast.  Give up that which is delightful to you on a physical level by fasting from various kinds of food or drink.  For sins of anger, try to do some good deed or speak some kind word to the person with whom you are angry.  Pray for them and speak the words of Jesus on the Cross, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”  And for sins of pride, try to bow down prostrate before our Lord in prayerful humility, emptying yourself before Him.  Seek to offer these specific remedies for the sins you struggle with and the Mercy of God will be poured down in abundance (See Diary #1248).

What are the specific sins you struggle with?  Make sure that you regularly do a thorough examination of conscience, focusing on each one of the Ten Commandments in detail or on the seven capital sins.  Once you have identified the main sins you struggle with, especially those that are habitual, seek a holy remedy for them.  Penance for sins is like medicine.  You need the right medication for each illness.  Be open to the ways that God reveals to you these “medicines” for your soul and take them without hesitation.  Each penance you do will open up the door of Mercy in a new and profound way in your life.

Lord, I know that I am sick on account of my many sins.  I am weak and in need of healing.  Help me to see my sins and to face them with Your Mercy.  Give me the means of overcoming them so that I may draw closer to You.  I love You Lord, free me from all that keeps me from You.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Featured image above: Moses descends from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments by Ferdinand Bol, via Wikimedia Commons

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Which do you prefer for your life?  Daily sensory experiences of sweetness or bitterness?  In other words, do you desire to take delight in the many aspects of your daily life or do you desire that the daily duty you fulfill leaves you with a certain bitterness within your senses?  For most people the answer is simple.  “Sweetness” is much better.  But is it?  Interestingly, the experience of sweetness or bitterness in life is not a good guide toward a life of holiness.  At times, even sin can taste “sweet” to us while acts of holiness can be “bitter” at first. Understanding this will allow us to move deeper into our embrace of the Will of God.  Our goal must be to seek His Will purely for the sake of His Will.  We must have no preference regarding the delight or suffering that comes as a result of embracing His Will.  If God’s Will requires great sacrifice, leaving us with a sensory experience of suffering, then so be it.  If His Will draws us to an exchange of love that leaves us with a sweet delight, then so be it.  Though it is hard to arrive at a level of total detachment, we must strive for it.  His Will and His Will alone must be our focus.  In His Will alone do we discover His abundance of Mercy (See Diary #1245).

Reflect upon the difference between God’s Will and the delight or distaste you feel from embracing it.  When His Will calls you to sacrifice, you will find it to be a sort of “bitter” experience.  Bitter in the sense that it may challenge your senses.  Do not worry about this.  Seek His Will in all things and the joy in your heart will ultimately overshadow all other immediate experiences you have.  His Will opens the door to His abundant Mercy.

Lord, I seek Your most holy Will about all things.  Help me to choose Your Will no matter how difficult or how delightful it may be.  Purify me, dear Lord, and give me a single focus in life so that my embrace of all You call me to do will bring forth Your perfect Mercy.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Featured image above: The Death of St. Peter Martyr by Girolamo Savoldo, via Wikimedia Commons

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Every great saint exemplifies some aspect of the goodness of God.  Some live lives of exceptional detachment from worldly riches, some serve the poor with unwavering commitment, some live lives of deep prayer, some have mystical revelations, some write volumes of books revealing the depths of faith, but all are called to bring forth the Mercy of God in one way or another.  The Mercy of God must be like a seal, stamped upon your heart.  God’s Mercy will shine forth from your life in the unique way that He has chosen for you.  The “seal” of God’s Mercy will become unique, shining forth as a gift given only through you.  Be open to the ways that God has chosen to shine forth from your life.  Allow that seal to become radiant and visible to all and you will witness great things take place by God through you (See Diary #1242).

Reflect upon your heart being sealed with the permanent and visible seal of the Mercy of God.  In what ways do you discern that the Lord wishes to radiate His Mercy from your life?  What are the concrete ways that His Mercy in Heaven is to come down to Earth through you?  Seek the particular and concrete manifestations of God’s Mercy offered through your life.  Committing yourself to these visible and real manifestations will enable you to become a powerful instrument of His Heart in our world.

Lord, I love You and deeply desire to allow You to manifest Your Mercy through my life.  I choose You as the source of all goodness in my life and give You my heart to seal with Your compassion and love.  Shine through me, dear Lord.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Novena to Saint Monica
(Especially prayed for wayward children)
August 18–26

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Featured image above: St. Mary’s Church, Buttevant, County Cork, Ireland by Andreas F. Borchert, via Wikimedia Commons

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Though Saint Faustina and many other great saints entered into a unique spiritual darkness, defined by St. John of the Cross as the “Dark Night of the Soul” and the “Dark Night of the Spirit,” we all will experience a certain “darkness” of one form or another in our walk of faith.  Our darkness may not be the result of the extraordinary purification of the soul that takes place on the journey toward perfection, but our response must be the same.  No matter what we go through in life, when challenges arise we must speak the words spoken by the great saints, “Thy Will be done!”  Holiness is all about doing the Will of God despite any confusion or apparent obstacle in our lives (See Diary #1237).

Reflect upon the level of conviction you pray that prayer, “Thy Will be done!”  Do you mean this?  Can you say it with all the powers of your mind, will and soul?  Have you chosen the Will of God above everything else in life?  Embracing the Will of God in times of trial is especially fruitful for a life of faith.  When temptations set in, especially temptations toward despair, you must reaffirm your commitment to God’s perfect Will.  Reflect upon this holy act today.  Say those words and mean them as completely as you can.  Nothing in life should ever deter you from making this your daily prayer.

Lord, may Your Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven!  I make this my prayer today.  I offer it to You with complete confidence and total surrender.  I choose You above all things and make Your Will my own.  I love You, my Lord.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Novena to Saint Monica
(Especially prayed for wayward children)
August 18–26

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Featured image above: The Virgin of the Carmen with Saint Theresa and Saint John of the Cross by Juan Rodríguez Juárez, via Wikimedia Commons

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Many of the great saints, including Saint Faustina, experienced an interior darkness in their relationship with God.  This is quite a mysterious experience.  As a soul grows intimately close to God there are numerous consolations and feelings of love along the way.  However, there comes a point on the spiritual journey when God hides Himself.  This is not on account of any sin on the part of the person; rather, it’s God’s way of entering much deeper into the person’s life so as to sustain them without the help of emotional or even spiritual consolation.  The soul is plunged into a darkness that can be quite painful.  But in this darkness, the person is invited to know God with a new silence and surrender.  The communication it receives on this new level is beyond words and beyond human experience.  There is a knowledge of God and His Divine Will, but not an experience of Him.  The soul is invited through this darkness to choose God and His Will despite the absence of any feelings or spiritual consolations (See Diary #1235).

Most likely your prayer life has not brought you to this experience of darkness.  But even though few enter into this level of communion with God, it’s good to be aware of it and to understand the experience that the great saints had.  Knowing that this is the path of holiness will allow you to set aside desires to feel the love of God in exchange for a desire for God Himself.  God is not a feeling; He is a Trinity of Divine Persons.  Seek to love Him no matter what you feel and your relationship will grow deeper than you could ever imagine.

Lord, at times I do not understand Your perfect love for me.  When I feel close to You I am so very grateful for this experience.  However, I pray that you give me the grace to love You even when I do not sense Your presence.  Please purify my faith, dear Lord.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Novena to Saint Monica
(Especially prayed for wayward children)
August 18–26

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Featured image above: Sorrowful Mother Shrine Chapel (Bellevue, Ohio) – stained glass, Mercy of Christ by Nheyob, via Wikimedia Commons