(A Daily Reflection on Divine Mercy)
Only after someone has suffered greatly do they begin to
understand the good fruits that can come forth from such suffering. In and of itself, suffering is the result of
our fallen human condition. But because
Jesus entered our human condition, embracing all suffering and redeeming it,
suffering now has great power when freely embraced by us and united to the
sufferings of Jesus. One good fruit that
can come from suffering is spiritual knowledge.
When suffering is embraced in Christ and offered to Him as a sacrifice
in union with His own Sacrifice, we will find that our suffering clarifies
life, puts it in perspective and may even give us the spiritual gift of insight
into the souls of others we encounter.
This gift of knowledge of other souls will enable us to see their needs
and offer the Mercy of God to them in the particular way they need it. Do not be afraid to allow your sufferings to
transform you and bestow this gift of knowledge upon you along with the many
other gifts God wishes to bestow (See Diary #1277).
Reflect upon how you deal with your own sufferings. Whether it is a small discomfort you feel or
an intense interior pain, everything we experience in life can be redeemed and
transformed so as to transform us. If
you believe this then try to consciously embrace every discomfort and every
suffering you endure as a sacrifice to God.
Offer it to Him and then allow the purifying effects of this free
embrace to produce an abundance of good fruit in your life.
Lord, so often I run from
my suffering and deny the redeeming effects that the free embrace of my
sufferings can have upon me. Give me
courage to say “Yes” to the crosses I am given and to be open to the spiritual
fruits that they can produce in my life.
I give all to You, dear Lord.
Jesus, I trust in You.
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