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29 November 2015
The First Sunday of Advent (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36)
This First Sunday of Advent, as we begin our preparation for the coming of Jesus, the readings speak to us about the end of the world. Although we may think we aren’t yet living in end times, we actually are, each one of us. When my life on earth comes to an end, that will be, for me, the end of the world. So, regardless of who I am, I need to be ready at every moment to meet the Lord, who will come like a thief in the night. We can never be totally sure of our salvation, when the possibility of falling away from God still exists.
St. Faustina understood that the grace of God can never be presumed upon or taken for granted, since all of us are subject to human weakness. Every grace we receive needs to be guarded and nurtured. St. Faustina, after having received a very special grace of chastity, wrote: “Although God has confirmed me in this virtue, I am, however, constantly on the watch and fear even my own shadow, but this is only because I have come to love God intensely. This grace from God was given to me precisely because I am the weakest of all people; this is why the Almighty has surrounded me with His special mercy” (Diary 1098-99).
Prayer: Merciful Lord Jesus, I thank You for all of the graces You have bestowed on me throughout my life. Keep me constantly vigilant, and never let me separate myself from You by sin. Amen.
22 November 2015
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (John 18:33b-37)
This Sunday we see Jesus, the King of the Universe, crowned with thorns and about to be crucified for testifying to the truth. He tells us that if we belong to the truth, we will listen to His voice and follow His example, even when doing so will lead us following Him on the Way of the Cross to Calvary. We must be brave and trust in Jesus if we hope to please Him and to one day enter into His Kingdom, a Kingdom not of this world.
St. Faustina was well familiar with the battle one must fight daily in order to live in the truth. She knew it is impossible to fight that battle without the grace of God. She wrote the following in a poem:
Prayer: Merciful Lord Jesus, You Who are the Way, the Truth and the Life, You Yourself know the struggle to live in the truth. Help me always to live in the truth, and give me the courage to stand up for the truth, no matter the cost. I trust in You. Amen.
15 November 2015
The Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 13:24-32)
As the liturgical year comes to a close, our Sunday readings once again focus on the end of the world and on the visible signs that will precede it: a time unsurpassed in distress, darkness by day and by night, stars falling from the sky. How can we be ready? What do we need to do to prepare ourselves?
Jesus taught St. Faustina the Chaplet of Mercy and recommended it for these end times, saying, “Oh what great graces I will grant to souls who say this chaplet; the very depths of My tender mercy are stirred for the sake of those who say the chaplet. (…) Speak to the world about My mercy; let all mankind recognize My unfathomable mercy. It is a sign for the end times; after it will come the day of justice. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fount of My mercy; let them profit from the Blood and Water which gushed forth for them.” To which St. Faustina replied: “O human souls, where are you going to hide on the day of God’s anger? Take refuge in the fount of God’s mercy” (Diary 848).
Prayer: Jesus, my most Merciful Lord, I want to be among those who take shelter in Your Merciful Heart, there where Your infinite love casts out all fear. Give me unshakable trust in Your Mercy and let nothing separate me from Your love. Amen.
8 November 2015
The Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 12:38-44)
The widows in this week’s first reading and Gospel both show remarkable trust in God’s generosity. By giving away their “whole livelihood,” they testify to genuine belief in God’s loving providence. The Lord delights in such acts of blind faith, and even the world praises “risk takers.” Jesus told St. Faustina, "I am making Myself dependent upon your trust: if your trust is great, then My generosity will be without limit” (Diary 548). When our actions truly begin to reflect the words of our prayer “Jesus I trust in You!” we will become witnesses to the unlimited generosity of our Merciful Lord.
Today’s readings are also about stewardship. Each one of us has received different gifts from God, and God alone, seeing the heart and knowing all things, can distinguish generosity from stinginess. I should ask myself how God sees me. Am I like the rich people, putting large sums into the treasury, but never withdrawing a penny from my “rainy day account,” or am I like the widow, intent on storing up riches in heaven?
Prayer: Merciful Lord Jesus, transform my stingy heart with the rays of Your grace. Do not allow me to put my trust in riches, but teach me to trust in You alone. Let me experience Your boundless generosity in my life. Amen.
1 November 2015
The Solemnity of All Saints (Matthew 5:1-12)
The Solemn Feast of All Saints we celebrate today is a great opportunity for us to ask ourselves how we are doing in our earthly pilgrimage and with the call to holiness that we each received at Baptism. Am I storing up my treasures in the bank, or striving to store up treasures in heaven? Do I show mercy to others, so that God will show mercy to me in my moment of need? How about persecution? Do I stand up for the truth even when I have to stand alone in the face of ridicule? Or do I compromise my faith and values under the pressure of the world? The Lord gives us opportunities each day to show Him where we stand. Every person who made it through the pearly gates for persevering in the fight for holiness is now enjoying eternal bliss with our loving Lord in paradise.
Jesus told St. Faustina: “This firm resolution to become a saint is extremely pleasing to Me. I bless your efforts and will give you opportunities to sanctify yourself. Be watchful that you lose no opportunity that My providence offers you for sanctification” (Diary 1361).
Prayer: Merciful Lord Jesus, even though I am no saint, I know that You have a place prepared in Heaven even for me. I sincerely desire to spend eternity with You. Grant me the grace to use well every opportunity you provide for my daily sanctification. I trust in You. Amen.