49 Angle Road, Walkerville
P.O. Box 378, Walkerville, 1876
Tel: 073 462 4937
walkerville.divinemercy@catholicjhb.org.za
29 March 2015
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (Mark 11:1-10 & Mark 14:1-15:47)
This Sunday we hear two Gospels: first the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and later, the Passion of Jesus according to St. Mark. The two readings are intimately related. The same people shouting “hosanna” within a few days began shouting “crucify him.” Jesus knew this from the beginning and suffered greatly because of it. Yet it didn’t stop Him from laying down His life for us.
St. Faustina wrote: “I saw Jesus riding on a donkey’s foal, and the disciples and a great multitude with branches in their hands were joyfully accompanying the Lord Jesus. Some strewed them before His feet where He was riding, while others raised their branches in the air, leaping and jumping before the Lord and not knowing what to do for joy. (…) But Jesus was very grave, and the Lord gave me to know how much He was suffering at the time. And at that moment, I saw nothing but only Jesus, whose Heart was saturated with ingratitude” (Diary 642).
Prayer: Merciful Lord Jesus, forgive me for so often crying out “crucify Him!” through my disobedience to Your Holy Will. Give me deep gratitude for all You have done for me in Your infinite mercy, and never allow me to grieve Your Sacred Heart again. Amen.
22 March 2015
The Fifth Sunday of Lent (John 12:20-23)
In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us that in order to do God’s work we have to die to our own will. When we cling to our own way, our own view, our own will, we lose sight of God’s plan for us and can ultimately even lose out on eternal life. Yet obedience to God’s will is not always easy. Today’s second reading tells us that Jesus Himself had to learn obedience, and He did so from what He suffered. In our fallen nature we tend to fear and resist God’s will, somehow convinced of Satan’s lie that God wants to hold back from us the very things that would make us happy. We must never forget that we have the law of the Lord written upon our hearts. He Himself wants to guide us in carrying out His will.
St. Faustina wrote: “True love of God consists in carrying out God’s will. To show God our love in what we do, all our actions, even the least, must spring from our love of God” (Diary 279).
Prayer: Merciful Lord Jesus, teach me the love of God. Teach me to trust. Crucify my will and give me the grace I need to accept and fulfil in every circumstance of life Your holy will, which is love and mercy itself. Amen.
15 March 2015
The Fourth Sunday of Lent (John 3:14-21)
In today’s Gospel Jesus reminds us that God wants eternal life for all of us. He was sent to save the world, not to condemn it. St. Paul tells us in the second reading that because of His great love, God, Who is rich in mercy, brought us to life we were dead in our sins. Salvation is a gift, and not something we can earn or even deserve. And even though it is free, salvation is also something we must want, something we must make sincere efforts to obtain.
Jesus told St. Faustina: “I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart. I use punishment when they themselves force me to do so; My hand is reluctant to take hold of the sword of justice.” (Diary 1588).
Prayer: Merciful Lord Jesus, You never refuse Your grace to a repentant sinner. I know I deserve Your punishment more than anything, yet I repent of my foolish and sinful thoughts, words and deeds. Help me to change my ways. I trust in Your merciful love. Amen.
8 March 2015
The Third Sunday of Lent (John 2:13-25)
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us about proper behaviour in His Father’s house. He literally drives out those who are desecrating the temple of God. Does my behavior in church not at times arouse the righteous anger of Jesus? Am I dressed appropriately when I come into the holy presence of God? Do I not sometimes talk to others in church as though it were any other public building or shopping mall? Do I try to whole-heartedly participate in the Holy Sacrifice that is being offered for me?
St. Faustina gave us a glimpse of God’s holiness by writing: “When I was attending Mass in a certain church with another sister, I felt the greatness and majesty of God; I felt the church was permeated by God. (…) Oh, if only all souls knew Who is living in our churches, there would not be so many outrages and so much disrespect in these holy places!” (Diary 409).
Prayer: Merciful Lord Jesus, forgive me for so often having conducted myself disrespectfully in your holy Presence. Teach me to show true reverence for Your honor and glory and don’t let me ever offend You again. Amen.
1 March 2015
The Second Sunday of Lent (Mark 9:2-10)
In today’s gospel the disciples stand in awe of the Lord Jesus, transformed in all the glory of His divinity. Jesus tells them not to speak of this event until after His resurrection, and then begins to tell about His coming Passion, to help them understand that there is only one path to glory: the Way of the Cross. In this season of Lent, God has given us the opportunity once again to renounce ourselves, to willingly take on penances not only to make up for our own sins, but also in order to become more like Jesus, Who was made perfect through suffering.
Let us adopt the attitude of St. Faustina, who wrote in her Diary: “Transform me into Yourself, O Jesus, that I may be a living sacrifice and pleasing to you. I desire to atone at each moment for poor sinners. The sacrifice of my spirit is hidden under the veil of the body; the human eye does not perceive it, and for that reason it is pure and pleasing to You. O my Creator and Father of great mercy, I trust in You, for You are goodness itself” (Diary 908).
Prayer: Merciful Lord Jesus, by means of the hidden sacrifices I make with love this Lent, transform me into Your very self. I trust in You. Amen.