My soul is steeped in bitterness

[Diary 896]

January 25, 1937. Today my soul is steeped in bitterness. O Jesus, O my Jesus, today everyone can add to my cup of bitterness. It makes no difference whether they be friend or foe, they can all inflict suffering on me. And You, O Jesus, are bound to give me strength and power in these difficult moments. O Blessed Host, support me and seal my lips against all murmuring and complaint. When I am silent, I know I shall be victorious.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

The Transfiguration of Jesus [2nd Sunday of Lent - February 24, 2013]

The Sunday Gospel [2nd Sunday of Lent - February 24, 2013]

Luke 9:28b-36

28Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. 29While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. 30And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, 31who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. 32Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory* and the two men standing with him. 33As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. 34While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” 36After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

Reflection

“While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here!” ~ v. 29, 33

Spiritual writers sometimes speak of a “moment of grace.” It’s a moment when the border between heaven and earth appears to fade away for a brief second. It’s a moment when, for a split second of time, God’s presence touches our lives deeply. It’s a moment when, for a split second of time, we are blessed with a faint glimpse of eternity and God’s glory. Such a moment graced Peter, James, and John in today’s reading. They were never the same after it.

Can you recall a “moment of grace” – or something akin to it – in your life? What triggered it? Love? Prayer?

“Behind the dim unknown, standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own.” ~ James Russell Lowell

Reflection Credits: Fr. Mark Link, SJ, Daily Homilies

Prayer Response

Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see your glory. Grant me the grace of a sure faith so that I may follow you faithfully.

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).

My daughter, you do not live for yourself but for souls; write for their benefit

[Diary 895]

January 23, [1937]. I did not feel like writing today. Then I heard a voice in my soul:My daughter, you do not live for yourself but for souls; write for their benefit. You know that My will as to your writing has been confirmed many times by your confessors. You know what is pleasing to Me, and if you have any doubts about what I am saying, you also know whom you are to ask. I grant him light to pronounce judgment on my case. My eye watches over him. My daughter, you are to be like a child towards him, full of simplicity and candor. Put his judgment above all My demands. He will guide you according to My will. If he doesn't allow you to carry out My demands, be at peace; I will not judge you, but the matter will remain between Me and him. You are to be obedient.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

The temptation of Jesus [First Sunday of Lent - February 17, 2013]

The Sunday Gospel [First Sunday of Lent 2013]

Luke 4:1-13

1Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert 2for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. 3The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” 5Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. 6The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. 7All this will be yours, if you worship me.” 8Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.’” 9Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ 11and: ‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 12Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” 13When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

Reflection

As we all know, there are many kinds of temptations. In his Gospel, Luke describes his main three. First, the devil asks Jesus to turn stones into bread. This was a great temptation. Jesus went into the desert to prepare himself for future missionary work. In order to do this effectively, he wanted to come closer to God. For this reason, he did not eat for forty days. When the devil suggested that Jesus change a stone into bread, he was telling him that human food was enough to sustain him. Nor was it so important to focus on spiritual things, like payer, fasting, and giving alms. However, Jesus refused to perform a miracle. Instead, he told the devil, “Man does not live by bread alone.” In other words, we have a spirit that we must nourish to make it clean and holy.

Jesus says, “Man does not live by bread alone.” The bread symbolizes wealth and material goods. As we know, many people value money and material things rather than God. Of course, these things are not bad, They only become bad when people rely on them for a sense of security, thinking that they do not need God anymore in their life.

The second temptation is wider in scope. The devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and tells him that he can give him all of them. However, there is one condition. Jesus must “prostrate himself in homage to him.” Here we see clearly the devil’s evil. He does not say, “kneel down before me,” but “prostrate yourself before me,” that is, lie down before me as if I were your master, and you, my slave.” But this is a lie. The kingdoms of the world are not his to give away. They belong to God.

Jesus also refuses this temptation. He will not worship the devil, but only God. So he says, “Scripture has it, ‘You shall do homage to the Lord your God; him alone shall you adore.’”

The second temptation involves the desire to use power to get what we want. Unfortunately, some people like to dominate others, just as a stronger country tries to dominate a weaker country. But Jesus opposes the use of force, as we see, for example, in the way he died.

In the third temptation, the devil asks Jesus to throw himself from the pinnacle of the Temple. He should not worry because God will protect him from all harm. This is the temptation to control God. It is as if a person says, “I can drive well over the seed limit, God will protect me because I am a good person.” Of course, this is foolish thinking. We must do our best. Then we can only hope that God will bless us.

A basic question remains: why did he devil tempt Jesus? And why does he tempt us? The devil tempted Jesus because he wanted to separate him from God. The same is true for us. The devil wants to separate us from God. And so he sows seeds of doubt in our heart. . When we get sick, for example, we might say: “Why did God allow me to become sick? I could serve him better if I were healthy. Why did God allow an earthquake to kill so many people in Haiti? Why? Why? Why? The devil tempts us to ask many questions.

But let us remember the example of Jesus. How did he overcome the devil? Luke writes, “Jesus [was] full of the Spirit.” He was full of the Spirit because he prayed. He was full of the Spirit because he fasted. He was filled with the Spirit because he lived for God. So too should we.

Reflection Credits: Fr. John Seland, SVD, New Reflections on the Sunday Gospels

Prayer Response

Come, Holy Spirit, purify and purge me of all sinful intentions.

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).

I am mercy itself for the contrite soul

[Diary 1739]

Write, My daughter, that I am mercy itself for the contrite soul. A soul's greatest wretchedness does not enkindle Me with wrath; but rather, My Heart is moved towards it with great mercy.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

The Call of Simon, the Fisherman [February 10, 2013]

The Sunday Gospel [February 10, 2013]

Luke 5:1-11

1While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” 5Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” 6When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. 7They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking. 8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” 9For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, 10and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything* and followed him.

Reflection

Let us begin our reflection today with a question: Who is God? This is what the dictionary says, “God is the Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe.” At first glance, this seems to be a fairly good definition, but it leaves out one very important aspect of God: His holiness. God is holy.

This is what we learn in today’s first reading. When Isaiah is in the Temple, he sees some angels. And they cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!” Isaiah is terrified because he is aware that he is a sinner. He cannot endure being present before the holiness of God. Then an angel comes with an ember and touches his lips. “See,” says the angel, “now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin is purged.” After that, Isaiah hears the voice of the Lord saying, “Who shall I send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah then answers, “Here I am, send me.” After he is purified, he is ready as a prophet to speak the words of God to the people.

The same idea is repeated in the second reading and in the Gospel. Paul admits that he was a great sinner who persecuted the Church. But then God had mercy on him and forgave him. He not only forgave him, but he also made him a great apostle. Paul writes, “By God’s favor I am what I am. This favor of his to me has not proved fruitless. Indeed, I have worked harder than all the others, not on my own but through the favor of God” (1 Co. 15:10).

Peter also acknowledged before Jesus that he is a sinful man. And yet Jesus chooses him to be the leader of the new Church. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus says, “From now on, you will be catching men.”

Here, a question comes to mind. God is holy. Can we become holy as He is? Yes, this is possible. How? By imitating the holiness of God. What is the essence of God’s holiness? The essence of God’s holiness can be summarized in the word, “love.” God is love. What is love? Well, books have been written about this, but perhaps the word “give” comes very close. Love means, “to give,” or perhaps it would be better to say, love means “to give without asking for a reward.” This is the way God loves us. He gives everything He has to us. He even gives us His own Son. That is how we become holy like God. We give. We give others our time, our money, our talents, and our love. And we give our heart to God.

Reflection Credits: Fr. John Seland, SVD; New Reflections on the Sunday Gospels

Prayer Response

Loving God, you know my sinfulness and yet you still invite me to be your disciple. Help me to serve you with a love that gives my all to my brothers and sisters.

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).

Enter into purgatory often, because they need you there

[Diary 1738]

The Lord said to me, Enter into purgatory often, because they need you there. O my Jesus, I understand the meaning of these words which You are speaking to me, but first let me enter the treasury of Your mercy.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

The Rejection at Nazareth [February 3, 2013]

The Sunday Gospel [February 3, 2013]

Luke 4:21-30

21He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” 23He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” 24And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. 25Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. 26It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 28When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. 29They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. 30But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

Reflection

Jesus’ townsfolk show themselves to be superficial and fickle. At first they are mesmerized by the depth and beauty of Jesus’ thought and speech, but they think of all the wonders that Jesus has done elsewhere and they turn on him in a fit of resentment for not having favored them with his feats of power.

We are not strangers to that disappointing experience that Jesus had at the hands of his neighbors. What steps can we take to ensure that our actions, rather than mirroring those of our neighbors, keep us united to Jesus?

Prayer Response

God, grant us the strength to do what is right and called for in spite of the clamor of resentment that rises up from selfish people around us.

Suggested Action

Do an act of kindness for someone in genuine need without regard to how that person is perceived by others.

Credits: Catholic Prayer Bible, Lectio Divina Edtion

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).