Day 223: A Dreadful Day

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

Nothing in life has to be dreadful.  Even the greatest struggle and suffering we endure can easily be transformed by God to become a source of His Mercy and our sanctification.  But there is one thing that would be truly dreadful if it were to come upon us.  And that one thing is the Day of Judgment if we were to remain closed to the Mercy of God through our obstinance and refusal to humbly repent and change our lives.  This is a frightening reality to behold.  When we stand before the Judgment Seat of God we will never be able to justify our stubborn adherence to sin.  No amount of rationalization or self-justification will appease the Justice of God.  Do not allow yourself to come to this point.  Repent now.  Honestly repent and confess your sin.  Do not hold onto your self-righteousness.  This will be easy to accomplish if you clearly understand the infinite Mercy of God offered you now and until the day of your judgment.  After that, it will be too late.  Do not wait (See Diary #1160).

What do you need to repent of?  Seriously, what is it?  Do not cling to your own self-righteousness acting as if you have no sin.  You may fool others, you may even fool yourself, but you will never fool God.  His love for you is greater than you’ll ever fathom and knowing this should ease your worries about admitting your sin.  Do it and watch the floodgates of Mercy open before you.

Lord, I am sorry and I do repent of my sin.  I am so sorry, especially for the ways that I have failed to honestly admit my wrongs.  Give me the grace, this day, to see my soul as You see it and to admit to the ways that I have turned from You, clinging to my own sin and especially my pride.  Have Mercy on me, dear Lord.  I give myself and all my sin to You.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 222: Feeling Overwhelmed

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

There are days when you most likely feel overwhelmed on account of one thing or another.  It may be that you find yourself with much responsibility and are anxious about being able to properly fulfill your duties well.  Or you may feel overwhelmed for the opposite reason, finding that life seems to be at a standstill and you are not sure what to do next.  In these moments, of feeling overwhelmed, we must make an act of trust in God.  The truth is that God could enter any situation in an instant and transform it, enabling us to face what is before us with the ease of a child.  But He doesn’t always do that.  Sometimes He allows us to wait on Him so that the situation we face will help to purify us and urge us toward greater surrender and love.  Know that God loves you and could do anything to immediately lighten your struggle.  Knowing that will help you also realize that, at times, He remains at an apparent distance as an act of hidden Mercy.  It’s a Mercy because His wisdom is perfect and He will always act in a way that is most fruitful for your soul (See Diary #1153).

Look at your life this day and identify that which has the appearance of being your greatest struggle.  How does that make you feel?  If you do feel overwhelmed then pause and try to see the wisdom of God.  He will never abandon you and may actually be offering you a hidden gift of Mercy through which He is calling you to greater holiness than if He immediately made your burdens light and easy.

Lord, help me to trust in You especially when I feel overwhelmed by the hardships of life.  May I never doubt Your perfect love and perfect wisdom in all things.  Give me the grace to see beyond that which burdens me so as to discover the hidden Mercy You offer me to purify and strengthen my soul.  I thank You for all things, dear Lord.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 221: Glorying in Yourself

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

Sometimes, those who are quite “religious” speak of many “religious” things.  They speak pious language and talk about holy things.  But in the end, it may be that all they say and do is actually said and done as a way of glorifying themselves in the sight of others.  This is the struggle of the Pharisees.  Sadly, those who struggle with this, just like the Pharisees, may even be fooling themselves into thinking they are exceptionally close to God.  But their pride has blinded them.  The goal of our lives must be to humbly point to God and offer all glory to Him, not to ourselves.  This can be very hard, but when done well, as an act of the utmost humility and truth, we realize that God actually does draw us into His glory and allows us to share in the honor that we owe to Him.  Only in this way do we come to realize our true dignity as His sons and daughters.  And in humbly pointing to God in all things, we are also lifted on high by God Himself (See Diary #1149).

Are you able to give all glory to God rather than trying to lift yourself up for others to see?  Reflect upon this in all honesty and humility.  The problem is that if you lift yourself on high, you will not be able to lift yourself very high and will actually find yourself in a more humiliated state than you could have imagined.  Lift the Lord on high and point to Him as the source of all goodness and leave the elevation of your own life up to Him.  He will raise you higher than you could ever do yourself.

Lord, I pray for the gift of humility.  I pray that in my humility I will see the truth and proclaim only that truth.  I especially pray that I will be able to see the truth that all good things come from You and are accomplished by You.  All glory be to You my Lord!  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 220: The Tormented Soul

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

Some people feel deeply tormented in the depths of their souls.  Sometimes this is caused by sin, sometimes it is caused by a special Mercy of God which enables the soul to experience the sufferings Jesus went through.  Whatever the case may be, if you encounter any torment, whatsoever, in the depths of your soul, know that you have a special right to the Mercy of God.  Why do you have this “right” to Mercy?  Not because you deserve it; rather, because God wishes to bestow it.  The greater your suffering the greater your right to the Mercy of God.  For that reason, do not be afraid to run to God in your misery and pain.  Do not be afraid of any form of rejection from God.  The soul that suffers is dearer to Him than any other (See Diary #1146).

The term “tormented soul” is powerful language.  But it’s also very honest language, describing the experience of many people.  So many people feel this deep interior torment, especially on account of their sins.  They feel dry, alone and trapped in this cycle of pain.  If this is you in any way, reflect upon the truth that God offers you a right to His Mercy more than any other.  He chooses you as His special object of compassion and lavishes upon you more than you could ever ask for.  Let yourself grow in confidence as you seek the Mercy of God and allow it to penetrate every torment you feel, no matter the cause, even if it comes from your sin.

Lord of utmost compassion, please help me to know, with certainty, that You love me and will never reject me.  I believe in Your Mercy and I trust that You desire to dispense it in abundance.  When I feel lost, confused and even tormented by my sin, help me to turn to You all the more, calling upon You to fulfill Your promise of love.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 219: Difficulties in Proclaiming Mercy

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

If you commit yourself to a full embrace of the Mercy of God in your life, you will be transformed beyond your wildest dreams.  But you will also have another experience.  You will encounter great difficulties in your attempts to live and proclaim Mercy to a fallen world.  The world does not understand the Mercy of God.  The world only knows harshness and judgment.  It seeks revenge and honors pride and self-assertion.  Mercy, however, it does not understand.  And when you embrace Mercy and allow it to be made manifest through your life, it will not always be accepted.  You may be misunderstood, labeled as weak and even ignored by many.  Do not get discouraged at the rejection you will encounter as you seek to be an apostle of the Mercy of God.  This is inevitable, but in that rejection and in every difficulty you encounter, you will discover a new level of holiness as you rest close to the Heart of Christ (See Diary #1142).

As you attempt to embrace Mercy in your life, what difficulties do you encounter?  Do others fail to understand the path you are on?  Do you feel misunderstood and even judged?  Reflect upon your experience and try to surrender every difficulty you experience over to the Heart of Christ.  His act of perfect Mercy, manifested through His death on the Cross, was seen by many as a pitiful and unfortunate consequence of His weakness.  However, Jesus’ love was not hampered by these false perceptions.  He pressed on, offering His life for the salvation of the world.  You must do the same.

Lord, Your Mercy is so profound and so mysterious that, at times, I question its wisdom.  I question whether I am walking the road to sanctity or foolishness.  Give me courage, clarity and strength to persevere down the road You have called me and help me to continually trust in Your abundance of Mercy.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 218: A Single Perception of God

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

It is important to understand God and His ways, but understanding is not the same as knowing.  Knowing God means we encounter a Person.  We do not only understand what this person says; rather, we engage, meet, experience and enter into a relationship with this Person.  In fact, one of the greatest blessings we can ever receive in this life is to obtain even a single perception of God.  Even one single perception of Him, one single encounter with Him, one single act of knowing Him is enough to change our lives forever.  An act of authentic knowing of God is more important than any other act we can do in life (See Diary #1133).

If you were offered all the wealth and fame of the world, great success and prestige, would you take it?  Most likely you would.  Being successful or wealthy or well known or greatly honored is often desirable.  In and of themselves, none of these qualities are bad.  But there is a grave danger in these desires the moment that they become more important to us than our desire to know God, distracting us from that ultimate goal.  The moment we find ourselves desiring worldly things more than a desire for the very Person of God is the moment that we have mixed up our priorities in life.  Seek even one single act of encountering our merciful God and you will find that this knowledge of Him is worth more than anything this world can offer.

My Lord, I desire to know You.  Please increase that desire in my soul so that it is more powerful than every other desire in my life.  I pray that You give me even a single perception of You, a single knowledge of You, dear Lord, and in that knowledge please change my life.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Santo San Juan!

Viva San Juan!

Isang napakalaking pagpapala ang hatid ng araw na ito sa bawat isang mananampalataya ng Simbahang Katolika. Dahil ngayon ang araw ng Dakilang Kapistahan ni San Juan Bautista. Siya ang banal na ipinanganak ni Isabel na noo’y napakatanda na ng mga panahong iyon at imposible nang magkaanak. Subalit dahil sa namagitan ang Diyos ay nagpakita ang Anghel Gabriel sa ama nitong si Zakarias at sinabi sa kanya na magkakaanak sila at ito’y pangangalanan nilang Juan.

 

Ang Pagbibinyag  ni

 San Juan Bautista Kay Jesus  

Si San Juan ang isinugo ng Panginoon upang ihanda ang daraanan ng kanyang Anak na si Hesus. Siya ay tinawag na Bautista dahil sa pangyayaring nagbibinyag siya sa Ilog Jordan. Siya rin ang nagbinyag sa kanyang pinsang si Hesus. Namatay siya ng papugutan siya ng ulo ni Haring Herodes matapos ilagay ito sa plato ayon sa kahilingan ng anak ni Herodias na kanyang pinangakuang ibibigay ang anumang naisin nito.

Sa isang dako naman ng Pilipinas, dito sa amin sa may Kanlurang bahagi ng Batangas ay kilalang-kilala na ang tradisyung nakasanayan ng gawin ng mga tao sa tuwing sasapit ang ika-24 ng Hunyo.

Sa Bayan ng Lian, kung saan naririto ang Parokya ni San Juan Bautista na itinalagang Archdiocesan Shrine of St. John The Baptist noong Ika- 29 ng Agosto, 2011 ay kilalang-kilala ang debosyon ng mga tao kay San Juan. Nakagawian na ng mga tao ang “Santuhan” na tinatawag- kung saan ang replica  ng nasabing santo ay iniiikot sa bawat sulok ng bayan at madalas ay inililibot din sa karatig-Bayan nito upang maipalaganap ang pananampalatay sa mga tao.Noong panahong una-una ay orihinal na imahe ang ipinapadala ng simbahan sa mga tao subalit nang maging shrine na ito ay pinagpasyahan na lamang na ilagay ang orihinal na imahe sa loob ng simbahan kung saan napakarami rin ng pumipila at nagtitiis ng init at ngawit makahawak at makahalik lamang sa Santo San Juan.

Ang Orihinal na imahe ng mahal na Poong San Juan Bautista

(Photo by: Ver Bayaborda via Facebook)

   

  Archdiocesan Shrine of St. John the Baptist

   

Paghahatid ng Poong Santo San Juan sa mga bahay-bahay.

Kali-kaliwa na rin ang maririnig mong pagtugtog ng iba”t- ibang grupo ng mga banda. Nakagawian na rin ng mga tao ang pagsasayaw ng “Subli”  bilang pagpaparangal sa kanilang pinakamamahal na Santo.

Kaunting pasilip ng Santuhan ng Lian, Batangas

(Video by: Valentina Lambat via facebook)

Basaan sa Balayan

Dito naman sa Bayan ng Balayan kung saan ang San Juan ay itinuturing nilang ikalawang Patron ng bayan. Nakagawian naman ng mga tao rito ang “Basaan” kung tawagin. Ito ng literal na pagbubuhos ng tubig sa mga taong bibisita sa bayan na ito sa araw ng kapistahan. Sumisimbolo ito sa pagbibinyag na ginawa ni San Juan Bautista  noong panahon niya. Kaalinsabay nito ang pangangaral niya sa mga taong sumusunod sa kanya tungkol sa pagdating ng Mesiyas na siyang tutubos sa ating mga sala. Makikita mo ang iba’t-ibang pamamaraan ng mga tao, bata man o matanda makapambuhos lamang ng tubig. Mayroong gumagamit ng host. Ang iba naman ay may dalang mga naglalakihang “water guns”. Maroon din namang nagsasama ng yelo sa timba ng tubig upang maramdaman ng tao ang kakaibang lamig na dulot nito. Makikita mo ang mga ngiti ng mga tao sa pakikiisa sa pagdiriwang. Sabi nila, mag-antanda ka raw ng krus kapag nabasa ka dahil ito ay isang biyaya.

Isa pa sa pinakahihintay na kaugalian rito sa Balayan  ay ang “Parada ng Lechon”. Dito ay ipinaparada ang mga Lechong Baboy at kanilang ginagayakan ng iba’t-ibang kasuotan. Libre rin ang pagkurot sa mga lechong ito kaya hindi mo kailangang mamroblema sakaling ikaw ay magutom. Ang kaugalian namang ito ay sumisimbols sa hinarap na kamatayan ng ating santo at martir.

Ang mga inihahandang mga Lechon.

(Image Source:http://www.metrokelan.com/oc-content/uploads/3/377.jpg)

(Image Source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/48/b6/91/48b69121944542e6fa170255b9194f97.jpg)

Ang mga lechon sa iba’t-ibang kasuotan

(Image Source: http://balayan.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/parada-ng-lechon.jpg)

Lubha nga namang napakayaman ng ating pananampalataya kaya naman tayo ay hinahangaan ng mga nakararami. Lahat ay nagsasaya at lubos na natutuwa sa mga kaganapan sa araw na ito subalit ating tatandaan kung ano ba talaga ang tunay na esensya ng ating pagdiriwang at kagalakan: Ito ay walang iba kundi ang pagpapasalamat sa Poong Maykapal sa pagbibigay sa atin ng huwarang Santo sa kababaang-loob na ipinakita nito at ang kasimplehang taglay niya hanggang kamatayan. Na balang araw, ating pagsusumikapan at ipagdarasal na maging katulad tayo ng ating patron….SAN JUAN BAUTISTA.

Viva San Juan!

Day 217: The Lazy and Idle Soul

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

We please the evil one when we allow our souls to become lazy and idle in the things of God.  An idol soul is one that does not seek to engage the life of God.  An idle soul is one who is passive in spiritual things rather than active.  Being “passive,” means that the person is somewhat indifferent to matters of faith and morality.  There is little interest in these areas and, as a result, very little effort is given to them.  Do not delight the evil one by being idle in your spiritual life.  Become zealous, passionate, hard working, diligent and committed to the path of holiness.  Seek to meet our Lord, personally, through a life of generous self-surrender to Him.  And never tire of doing so with all the powers of your soul (See Diary #1127).

What are you passionate about?  For example, do you have some hobby or pastime?  Do you have some activity that you love doing and spend much time with?  Though a hobby can be healthy, your greatest “pastime” should be that of seeking God and serving His holy Will.  Nothing in life should take up more time and focus than your love of God.  Reflect upon how determined you are in your life of faith.  How committed are you to building a relationship with your merciful Lord?  Are you idle or lazy in this area?  Renew your zeal for God and allow that zeal to guide you into an ever deepening relationship with your Lord.  Give Him more than an hour a week and you will reap the blessings of your commitment.

Lord, I want to be holy.  However, I realize that I do not desire holiness enough, preferring instead to be idle and lazy at times.  Please increase my zeal and my desire to come to know You more.  And as I grow in a deeper love for You, magnify that love and help it to continue growing in an exponential way.  May I never tire of seeking You and loving You, dear Lord.  I give you my life.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 216: Clarity of Mind through Authentic Love

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

Our Church sets before us many teachings that can only be understood by grace.  Some teachings are about morality, calling us to a life of great virtue.  Some teachings are about God, His very being and essence.  Some teachings are about humanity and bring clarity to who we are.  What’s important to understand is that nothing that the Church teaches can be fully understood without love.  Love is like a window inserted into a brick wall surrounding the many truths revealed to us by God.  Unless we find that window and peer through, we are left unaware of all that God wishes to teach us each day.  Love of God and love of others enables us to quickly make sense of the greatest mysteries of life.  Through love, our minds perceive and clarify life itself and all that God wishes to reveal to us in faith.  Choose to love God and others with a spiritual, selfless and sacrificial love, and allow that love to become the source of your understanding in life (See Diary #1123).

What is it that causes you the greatest confusion?  Is there some article of faith taught by the Church that you do not understand?  Or perhaps there is confusion over a relationship you have, not knowing how to approach it or to resolve some underlying problem.  Whatever it is that you find difficult to “solve,” know that your answer will come only when you choose to love God and others with a pure love, the love of Mercy.  This is not a selfish love based on your feelings, but is a sacrificial and selfless love that imitates Jesus and His Cross.  Commit to this love and you will quickly and easily comprehend the mysteries of life.

Lord, please enlighten me.  Help me to realize that pure and holy love opens the door to the mysteries of life.  May I open that door through my love of You, and discover all that You wish to teach me.  This is a Mercy for which I am eternally grateful.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 215: The Freedom to Choose

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

In one sense we can say that God imposes upon us an obligation to turn to Him with our whole being and receive His Mercy. He also imposes upon us the obligation to spread His Mercy to others.  But we must understand that this is no ordinary “obligation.”  It’s an obligation of love.  This means that the “imposition” of this obligation is no imposition at all.  It is something that God gives us complete freedom to choose or reject.  There are no strings attached, no forms of force; rather, we are left in complete freedom to choose or not to choose to accept and bestow the Mercy of God.  This freedom is essential to our lives and is essential to the gift of God’s Mercy.  Only by giving us this freedom can we fully cooperate with this gift because Mercy must be freely given and freely received.  If it is not, then it is not Mercy.  Be grateful for the freedom the Lord has given you and use it to make a glorious choice (See Diary #1115).

Reflect, today, upon these two gifts God has given you.  First, reflect upon the gift of freedom.  In having free will, you are able to make your own choices in life.  As a result, you also either reap the blessings of the choices you make, or suffer the consequences.  Reflect, also, upon the fact that you are invited by God to accept and distribute His abundant gift of Mercy.  By freely choosing this gift, you invite the God of the Universe to descend from His Throne of Grace and embrace you with an embrace of pure love, enabling you to offer that embrace to others.

Lord, I give You my life and freely choose to receive all the Mercy of Your most Sacred Heart.  Help me to be open to all that You wish to bestow, and help me to be open to bestow all that You wish to offer others.  I thank You, Lord, for these glorious gifts of freedom and Mercy and I choose Your Mercy with all my heart.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Happy Birthday Fr. Jing!

         

    Photo Credit: Portraits of Saint

Today as we commemorate the Feast Day of St. Aloysius Gonzaga: Patron of young students, Christian youth, Jesuit novices, the blind, AIDS patients. Who at the very young age of 9 decided on a religious life. Though a kidney disease prevented him to do his social life for a while, he spent his time on prayer and  reading the lives of the saints. When his family moved back to Italy, He taught catechism to the poor.

When he was 18, he joined the Jesuit, after finally breaking down his father,  who had refused his entrance to the order. He serve in a hospital during the plague of 1578 in Milan, and died at the age of 23.

Rev. Fr. Aloysius 'Jing' Buensalida H.

Likewise this is a very special day for us faithful of St. Vincent Ferrer here in Tuy, Batangas. Our  very own Parish Priest is celebrating his birthday.

He who is very zealous in his work and to his flock...

He, who is willing to exert his talents and very efforts for the improvement of the Church entrusted  to him...

He, who is ready to care for those who seeks help and guidance;

He, who by his humility and dedication encourages many to participate in the Parish activities and  work; And like St. Aloysius, he who is willing to help and continually inspire many through their meekness and confidence in God.

Thus, to our beloved, joyous and wonderful Kura, we greet you all:

Now I leave you some moments to pray for our priest:

O Jesus, our great High Priest, Hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priest, Fr. Jing Buensalida. Give him a deep faith, a bright and firm hope and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of his priestly life.

In his loneliness, comfort him In his sorrows, strengthen him In his frustrations, point out to him that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and show him that he is needed by the Church, he is needed by souls, he is needed for the work of redemption.

O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests, take to your heart your son who is close to you because of his priestly ordination, and because of the power which he has received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs him so much.

Be his comfort, be his joy, be his strength, and especially help him to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy.

Amen.

(prayer from: http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=2671)

Day 214: A Complete Pardon

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

Imagine that you were guilty of a serious crime and faced life in prison.  You were sorry for what you had done and fully confessed to it.  On the day of your sentencing you came in handcuffed from where you were being held knowing that you would soon return.  Instead, the judge ordered that your shackles be removed, that you were to receive a full pardon and that you were being granted a complete restoration to your former life.  Certainly you would be filled with gratitude.  But we must realize that God has not only done this, He has done even more. He also elevates us the status as His sons and daughters, a new status that we do not deserve in the order of grace.  The Mercy of God is amazing and beyond what we can comprehend. All we have to do is repent and entrust ourselves to the benevolence of this good Judge.  This is especially done through Confession and trusting in the abundance of Mercy offered to those who specifically go to Confession in honor of Divine Mercy Sunday (See Diary #1109).

Can you admit to your sin?  Are you aware of your sin?  If so, then you are one step away from receiving a full pardon from the Most Merciful Judge.  God longs to not only wipe away your sins, He also longs to elevate you to the glorious heights of Mercy.  Do you want this?  If so, do not hesitate in believing in the glorious Sacrament of Confession, and do not hesitate to trust in His Mercy poured out on Divine Mercy Sunday each year.  Seek His pardon, especially on that glorious day.

Lord, give me the grace of knowing my sins and confessing them in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  May I have great courage to face Your Mercy in that Sacrament so as to be elevated to the glorious status of Your sons and daughters.  And may I especially trust in the Mercy You bestow on Divine Mercy Sunday.  Thank You for the graces bestowed on this most holy day.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 213: The Spiritual Gift of Understanding

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

Do you understand the mysteries of God?  Imagine that you were a theologian who studied the faith of our Church for many years.  Would knowledge of all the theological disciplines of our Church necessarily produce in you an authentic understanding of these mysteries that were studied?  No, it wouldn’t necessarily produce understanding.  In fact, it is entirely possible that while knowing all about God and all that has been revealed through the ages, you still might lack an authentic understanding of God and the profound mysteries of our faith.  Understanding ultimately comes as a gift from God.  It’s an infused gift which illumines and enlightens and is obtainable only by a direct and personal revelation from God.  Yes, study of the faith and attentiveness to clear articulation of this same faith disposes one to understand, but the inspired gift of Understanding is still required to penetrate and grasp all mysteries of our faith.  Understanding is a true gift of God’s Mercy (See Diary #1107).

Reflect upon your own understanding of the infinite Mercy of God.  How fully do you comprehend this Mercy? 

Reflect upon all that God has revealed to us throughout history.  He has spoken definitively through Scripture and has also spoken definitively through His Church in numerous ways.  Reflect upon how fully you grasp all the articles of our faith that have been revealed through the ages.  God has spoken in a clear and public way.  Now He desires to speak those same truths to you in the depths of your soul.  If you are willing to listen, your understanding will open the floodgates of the Mercy of God.

Lord, there are so many truths that I do not fully grasp.  Your life and Your workings are glorious and mysterious all at once.  Give me the grace of Understanding so that I may penetrate the depths of Your Truth and Your Mercy.  I open myself to You, dear Lord.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 212: Overcoming Doubt

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

What is “doubt?”  To doubt is to lack faith, and to lack faith is to lack trust in the perfect revelation and plan of God’s Will.  First and foremost, a doubt, resulting from a lack of faith, means you are not listening.  When we doubt God, His plan and all that He reveals to us, we are left on our own.  But when we listen, hear, understand and believe, we are covered in the protection of His Mercy on account of the faith that we manifest.  Faith means that we know with certainty all that God says and wills.  Faith is not just believing in something we hope is true, it’s knowing and believing all that is true (See Diary #1101).

Do you doubt at times?  Or do you have faith?  This is an exceptionally important question to ponder.  Begin by asking yourself these questions:  Do I listen to the Voice of God?  Do I hear God speak to me and do I comprehend all that He says?  Without these first steps, faith is impossible.  Hearing Him speak can only come through prayer.  And the form of prayer we need could be called “soaking prayer.”  Soaking prayer is a form of prayer by which we allow ourselves to daily become immersed in the Voice of God revealing His holy Will.  He speaks to us all day, every day.  Little by little we listen, comprehend and respond.  This produces the gift of faith and that faith will lead your life.  Reflect upon this process in your life and renew your commitment to start at the beginning so that the Lord will lead you one step at a time.

Dear Lord, I desire to hear You speak to me.  Help me to open my ears to hear so that I may know You and discern Your perfect Will for my life.  I desire to be led each day only by You and to trust in the gentle guidance of Your holy Will.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 211: Close to the Mother of God

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

A mother’s love could be described as “fierce” in the sense that she would willingly give her life for the protection of her children.  A motherly instinct kicks in when her child is in danger, hurting, or in need, and she loses all sense of her own well-being in favor of the protection of her child.  So it is with the Mother of God.  You are her child by grace and by the will of Jesus her Son.  As a result, she holds you close to her heart in times of need and shelters you in her mantle of protection.  This motherly love is offered even when you are not in harm’s way as a result of her unwavering motherly care.  She is an advocate for you like none other.  And she is not only your mother; she is also the Mother of God.  And as the Mother of God, she obtains special graces for all her children from her Divine Son.  He answers every request she makes on your behalf and will never abandon you.  Stay close to her, nestled in her arms of Mercy (See Diary #1097).

Have you consecrated yourself to the love, care and protection of the Mother of God?  If not, why not?  What are you waiting for?  Does it confuse you why you should trust in her maternal care?  God deigned to create a spiritual family of love and He entrusted His mother with your care.  Motherly care is central to the natural order of God’s design for humanity.  Therefore, it is only logical to conclude that it is also part of His supernatural plan for humanity.  Turn to her as your spiritual mother and trust that the Lord wills to pour an abundance of Mercy upon you through her mediation.

Dearest Mother, I love you and entrust myself to your motherly care and intercession.  I believe that you are my mother in the order of grace and that you are “full of grace.”  Pour down upon me the motherly Mercy in your heart as I put my trust in you.  Dearest Mother, I consecrate myself to you.  Please pray for me.  Jesus, I trust in You.

Day 210: Good Works in the Light of Divine Love

(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)

Do you work hard?  Do you strive to be good?  Do you want to make a positive difference?  It is certainly good to try to be good.  But in so doing, we must never think that our “goodness” is truly good in the eyes of God, unless it is Divine Love that has become the source of all activity in our lives.  Humility enables us to turn our eyes to the One and Only source of goodness in our lives.  And that source is the abundant Mercy of God.  We cannot decide, on our own, to do even one single act that is good or beneficial to others.  We cannot please God by our own effort, and most certainly, cannot attain Heaven or any eternal reward by our works.  All is a gift and all is grace.  Only the humble soul sees this and believes it.  But when it sees it and believes it, great things will happen for the Kingdom of God (See Diary #1092).

Reflect upon the good works you do.  As you do, see them for what they are, nothing less and nothing more.  If there is goodness in your life, humble honesty will enable you to understand that this goodness is 100% dependent upon the Goodness of God.  Without Mercy, you cannot do any good work.  With Mercy, you can do every good work.  God, at work in your soul, produces abundant blessings in this world.  Reflect upon your desire to be an instrument of the abundant blessings of God in this world and rejoice, humbly, that God has chosen to use you.  Say “Yes” to Him and you will see beautiful fruits for all.

Lord, please give me a humble heart.  Help me to see that all good things begin with You and are only accomplished by You and Your Mercy.  I give myself to You so that You may use me for Your glory.  And I thank You for the privilege of being used as an instrument of Your unfailing Love.  Jesus, I trust in You.