Divine Mercy

I have been reading "Divine Mercy, The Diary of Saint Faustina" for the past few months...well, a while. Although it is 700 pages, I don't think that is the main reason it has taken me so long; it is less of a diary, and more of a study guide...a magical one that though written in the 1930's, directly quotes what Jesus Himself instructed St. Maria Faustina Kowalska to share with the world. She had a very intimate relationship with the Lord, as she was directed at a young age to eventually form a new devotion and convent to Divine Mercy. It is magical to me. The total devotion she has for The Lord, and the truly just nature of God can make you feel like nothing...like a selfish, lazy hypocrite. But you soon understand that just as Faustina recognizes herself as "misery itself", acknowledging your own sins and more importantly, your total dependence on Jesus to help you deny earthly pleasures for Heavenly ones, is truly freeing and uplifting. It is inspiring and emboldening my faith, and therefore my determination to pray that His will be done (not mine) and pray for the grace to accept and appreciate His will. But the main message was that we all be aware of His Divine Mercy for all sinners who repent. I truly believe all sins can be forgiven, and that no soul deserves hell. Satan hates when we are aware of that...Divine Mercy is unfathomable and inexhaustible. And when we repent with true contrition, and accept His mercy, grace & blessings abound.

   Well, if my incoherent rambling doesn't get through, surely His words will. I have been highlighting passages I like, that keep me focused on what's important, and help guide me in examining my conscience for confession, which I have yet to go to at our new church..:(

  I will post random ones sporadically in the hopes that they might strike one of you (my GAZILLIONS of readers lol) as poignant and useful. Reading Jesus words in her diary always makes me critical first of myself, and that's why I want to save these quotes to heed His call. And then some passages remind me of others and I pray for them to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance. But feeling guilt and shame should only lead to prayer and repentance, and finally new hope, purpose and strengthened faith. :) Never let it take you anywhere else-that's a trap!

   Jesus: THERE ARE SOULS WITH WHICH I CAN DO NOTHING. THERE ARE SOULS THAT ARE CONTINUOUSLY OBSERVING OTHERS, BUT KNOW NOTHING OF WHAT IS GOING ON WITHIN THEIR OWN SELVES. THEY TALK ABOUT OTHERS CONTINUALLY, EVEN DURING TIMES OF GRAND SILENCE, WHICH ARE RESERVED FOR SPEAKING ONLY WITH ME, POOR SOULS, THEY DO NOT HEAR MY WORDS; THEIR INTERIOR REMAINS EMPTY. THEY DO NOT LOOK FOR ME WITHIN THEIR OWN HEARTS, BUT IN IDLE TALK WHERE I AM NEVER TO BE FOUND. THEY SENSE THEIR EMPTINESS, BUT THEY DO NOT RECOGNIZE THEIR OWN GUILT, WHILE SOULS IN WHOM I REIGN COMPLETELY ARE A CONSTANT SOURCE OF REMORSE FOR THEM. INSTEAD OF CORRECTING THEMSELVES, THEIR HEARTS SWELL WITH ENVY, AND IF THEY DO NOT COME TO THEIR SENSES, THEY PLUNGE IN EVEN DEEPER. A HEART, WHICH THUS FAR IS   ENVIOUS, NOW BEGINS TO BE FILLED WITH HATE. AND THEY ARE ALREADY AT THE EDGE OF THE PRECIPICE. THEY ARE JEALOUS OF MY GIFTS IN OTHER SOULS, BUT THEY THEMSELVES ARE UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THEM.

   heavy stuff huh? It's a great book to have on hand for perspective in any difficult situation. More to come. Prayer is powerful. You'll never regret a true prayer, and it's intentions are never wasted, even if the object of your prayer doesn't accept it, the grace goes where it's wanted, and sometimes back to you!