Monday Musings - Talk to Him As A Friend to a Friend

 Jesus to St. M. Faustina Kowalska;

“Poor soul, I see that you suffer much and that you do not have even the strength to converse with me. So I will speak to you. Even though your sufferings were very great, do not lose heart or give in to despondency. But tell Me, my child, who has dared to wound your heart? Tell Me about everything, be sincere in dealing with Me, reveal all the wounds of your heart. I will heal them and your suffering will become a source of your sanctification…

My child do not be discouraged. I know your boundless trust in Me; I know that you are aware of My goodness and mercy. Let us talk in detail about everything that weighs so heavily upon your heart…

Talk to me simply, as a friend to a friend. Tell Me now, my child, what hinders you from advancing in holiness?…

My child make the resolution never to rely on people. Entrust yourself completely to My will saying ‘Not as I want, but according to Your Will, O God, let it be done unto me.’  These words, spoken from the depths of one's heart, can raise a soul to the summit of sanctity in a short time. In such a soul I delight. Such a soul gives Me glory. Such a soul fills heaven with the fragrance of her virtue. But understand that the strength by which you bear sufferings comes from frequent Communions. So, approach this fountain of mercy often, to draw with the vessel of trust whatever you need.

(From Divine Mercy in My Soul – Diary of St. M. Faustina Kowalska (1487)

Monday Musings-Guest Post-Father Darr Schonebon on Divine Mercy

     This is probably the longest guest post I have ever published. It is, however, not only worthwhile to read, but essential that you do so, if you wish to save your soul and the souls of those you know and love.

      This is a post you will want to copy, keep, ponder, re-read, and share, especially with those you know and love who have separated themselves from our merciful God or profess not to believe in Him or eternal punishment.

  

Divine Mercy Sunday

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER 

April 19, 2020

The Second Sunday of Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday.  God through Jesus his Son calls all weak, wounded, sinful human beings — and thus that means everyone — to surrender themselves to his Divine Mercy and thereby receive the unmerited gift of his Divine Life.  His merciful heart goes out in particular to souls who dwell in the darkness of grave sin, souls who live without hope, wandering aimlessly through life. 

Yes, the infinite mercy of the heart of the Father pours forth upon the earth through the pierced, lanced heart of his crucified and risen Son (cf. Jn 19:34-37).  Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska — the seer who, at the insistence of Jesus, first promoted the celebration of the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday — had a vision of Jesus on February 22, 1931.  In her spiritual diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul (DM), she describes that vision as follows: 

In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment.  One hand [was] raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast.  From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale.  In silence I kept my gaze fixed on the Lord; my soul was struck with awe, but also with great joy.  After a while, Jesus said to me, “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You.  I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world. (DM, 47) 

Eventually the (now famous) image was painted, sometime after which, at the bidding of her confessor-spiritual director, she asked Jesus the meaning of the two rays in the image.  During prayer she heard these words within her: 

The two rays denote Blood and Water.  The pale ray stands for the Water which makes righteous souls.  The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls . . . 

These two rays issued forth from the depths of My tender mercy when my agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. 

These rays shield souls from the wrath of my Father.  Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him.  I desire that the first Sunday of Easter be the Feast of Mercy. (DM, 299) 

Jesus would later confirm that it was from his wounded, lanced heart, more than from any of the other wounds inflicted upon him during his passion, that his mercy and grace flow.  He told Saint Faustina: 

From all my wounds, like from streams, mercy flows for souls, but the wound in My Heart is the fountain of unfathomable mercy.  From this fountain spring all graces for souls.  The flames of compassion burn Me.  I desire greatly to pour them out upon souls.  Speak to the whole world about My mercy. (DM, 1190) 

Jesus went on to explain the critical importance of the Feast (Divine Mercy Sunday), in light of the “Fount of Life” imagery of the Divine Mercy painting: 

Ask of my faithful servant [Father Sopocko] that, on this day, he tell the whole world of My great mercy; that whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment. 

Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy. 

Oh, how much I am hurt by a soul’s distrust!  Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness.  Even the devils glorify My Justice but do not believe in My Goodness. 

My Heart rejoices in this title of Mercy. 

Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God.  All the works of My hands are crowned with mercy. (DM, 300, 301)