“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.

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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.

 

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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God smiles upon us and lavishes rewards upon us for the love we offer to Him and to others.  Our works of love, when inspired by His grace, are transformed into treasures in Heaven.  But that’s not all that is transformed into treasures.  Even our desire to do good and to serve God is transformed.  God sees all things, even our smallest sincere desires, and transforms all into grace (See Diary #450).

What do you desire in life?  What do you long for?  Do you find that your desires are attached to sinful acts?  Or do you find that your desires and longings are for the good things of Heaven and the works of God?  Seek to transform even your desires and you will be richly blessed!

Lord, I offer you my heart and every desire within it.  Help me to long for You and for Your holy Will to be fulfilled in this world.  May I desire what You desire and long for an abundance of Mercy in our world.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Featured image above: Ecstasy of Saint Teresa By Gerard Seghers, via Wikimedia Commons

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Why was it that Jesus suffered as He did?  Why did He receive such a severe scourging?  Why was His death so painful?  Because sin has consequences and is the source of great pain.  But Jesus’ voluntary and sinless embrace of suffering transformed human suffering so that it now has the power to purge us and free us from sin and all attachment to sin (See Diary #445).

Do you realize that the extreme pain and suffering Jesus went through was on account of your own sin?  It’s important to acknowledge that humbling fact.  It’s important to see a direct connection between His suffering and your sin.  But this should not be a cause of guilt or shame, it should be a cause of gratitude.  Deep humility and gratitude.

Lord, I thank You for all that You endured in Your holy Passion.  I thank You for Your suffering and Cross.  I thank You for redeeming suffering and transforming it into a source of salvation.  Help me to allow the sufferings I endure to change my life and purge me of my sin.  I unite my sufferings to Yours, dear Lord, and pray that You will use it for Your glory.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Featured image above: Crowning with Thorns By Dirck van Baburen, via Wikimedia Commons

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Divine Mercy Sunday Resources

When God calls us to fulfill some mission, who is at work?  God or us?  The truth is that we are both at work, God is the source and we are the instrument.  We make a freewill effort, but it is God who shines through.  Just as a window can act as a source of light in the house, it is not the window that shines, it is the Sun.  Similarly, we must surrender ourselves to God so that He will shine through us, but we must always remember that we are only a window through which God will shine in our world (See Diary #438).

Do you want God to shine through you brightly?  Do you want His rays of love to radiate and enlighten others?  If you do, then humble yourself so that you can become His instrument of grace.  Recognize that you are nothing more than an instrument, not the source.  Be open to the Source of all Grace and He will shine through with great power and splendor.

Lord, I offer myself to You as a window for Your merciful Heart.  Shine through me, dear Lord.  May I be a true instrument of Your grace and may I always remember that You and You alone are the source of all grace and Mercy.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Divine Mercy Sunday Resources

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Featured image above: Saint Peter in Prayer from the circle of Hendrick Bloemaert, via Wikimedia Commons