Friday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, July 31

Strive for Sanctity

Completely in My Care

May 1, [1938]. This evening, Jesus said to me, My daughter, do you need anything? I answered, "O my Love, when I have You I have everything." And the Lord answered, If souls would put themselves completely in My care, I Myself would undertake the task of sanctifying them, and I would lavish even greater graces on them. There are souls who thwart My efforts, but I have not given up on them; as often as they turn to Me, I hurry to their aid, shielding them with My mercy, and I give them the first place in My compassionate Heart (Diary, 1682).

My Prayer Response:
Lord Jesus, I desire to put myself completely in Your care. Please undertake the task of sanctifying me. Without Your grace, I can do nothing! But with Your grace, I can do anything, because then all things are possible: "I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me" (Phil 4:13).

July 31, 2020

"Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be, and becoming that person." — St. Therese of Lisieux

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, July 30

Strive for Sanctity
You are That Saint

First Friday. When I took the Messenger of the Sacred Heart into my hand and read the account of the canonization of Saint Andrew Bobola, my soul was instantly filled with a great longing that our Congregation, too, might have a saint, and I wept like a child that there was no saint in our midst. And I said to the Lord, "I know Your generosity, and yet it seems to me that You are less generous toward us." ... And the Lord Jesus said to me, Don't cry. You are that saint. Then the light of God inundated my soul, and I was given to know how much I was to suffer, and I said to the Lord, "How will that come about? You have been speaking to me about another Congregation." And the Lord answered, It is not for you to know how this will come about. Your duty is to be faithful to My grace and to do always what is within your power and what obedience allows you to do ... (Diary, 1650).

My Prayer Response:
Thank you, St. Faustina, for evoking the word of the Lord: You are that saint. Thank you, St. Faustina, for your holy life and your Diary.

July 30, 2020

"What is a vocation? It is a gift from God, so it comes from God. If it is a gift from God, our concern must be to know God's will. We must enter that path: if God wants, when God wants, how God wants. Never force the door." — St. Gianna Molla

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, July 29

Strive for Sanctity
The Light of Holiness

Chosen souls are, in My hand, lights which I cast into the darkness of the world and with which I illumine it. As stars illumine the night, so chosen souls illumine the earth. And the more perfect a soul is, the stronger and the more far-reaching is the light shed by it. It can be hidden and unknown, even to those closest to it, and yet its holiness is reflected in souls even to the most distant extremities of the world (Diary, 1601).

My Prayer Response:
Lord Jesus, You told us through St. John: "I am the light of the world. No follower of Mine shall ever walk in darkness; no, he shall possess the light of life" (Jn 8:12). And so You also taught us: "You are the light of the world" (Mt 5:14). Thank You for teaching us through St. Faustina that the greater the sanctity of souls, the more the light of holiness is reflected around the world.

July 29, 2020

"The deeds you do may be the only sermon some people will hear today." — St. Francis of Assisi

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, July 28

Strive for Sanctity
It Is All Grace

I have noticed that, from the very moment I entered the convent, I have been charged with one thing; namely, that I am a saint. But this word was always used scoffingly. At first, this hurt me very much, but when I had risen above it, I paid no attention to it. However, when on one occasion a certain person [perhaps Father Sopocko] suffered because of my sanctity, I was very pained that, because of me, others can experience some unpleasantness. And I began to complain to the Lord Jesus, asking why this should be so, and the Lord answered me, Are you sad because of this? Of course, you are a saint. Soon I Myself will make this manifest in you, and they will pronounce the same word, saint, only this time it will be with love (Diary, 1571).

My Prayer Response:
Lord Jesus, help me not to be ashamed of my striving for sanctity. Sanctity is all Your gift; it is all grace. Remind me that sanctity is not a private love affair with You, Lord - You have called all of us to "be holy, because I am holy" (1 Pet 1:16; Lev 10:2).

July 28, 2020

"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent." — St. John of the Cross

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, July 27

Strive for Sanctity
Called to Humility

If you do not succeed in taking advantage of an opportunity, do not lose your peace, but humble yourself profoundly before Me and, with great trust, immerse yourself completely in My mercy. In this way, you gain more than you have lost, because more favor is granted to a humble soul than the soul itself asks for ... (Diary, 1361).

My Prayer Response:
Lord Jesus, help me to remain in peace, even when I struggle. May I rejoice in my humiliation and turn to Your mercy with even greater trust. May I give You thanks for Your mercy.

July 27, 2020

"The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends, but let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him." — St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, July 26

Strive for Sanctity
This Firm Resolution

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).

My Prayer Response:
Lord, bless my efforts to become a saint and so please You. May I take advantage of the opportunities You give me to grow in sanctity. Help me to be watchful for every opportunity.

July 26, 2020

"You are rewarded not according to your work or your time but according to the measure of your love." — St. Catherine of Siena

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, July 25

Strive for Sanctity
The Lord's Exhortation

Know this, My daughter: if you strive for perfection you will sanctify many souls; and if you do not strive for sanctity, by the same token, many souls will remain imperfect. Know that their perfection will depend on your perfection, and the greater part of the responsibility for these souls will fall on you (Diary, 1165).

My Prayer Response:
Thank you, St. Faustina, for listening to and obeying the Lord by striving for great sanctity. May I and all the readers of this exhortation of the Lord follow your example of striving for great sanctity. Lord, give us the grace to be saints like St. Faustina.

July 25, 2020

"Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you." — St. Augustine

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, July 24

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Spiritual Warfare
Experienced in Battle

Jesus, Savior, who have deigned to come into my heart, drive away these distractions which are keeping me from talking to You.

Jesus answered me, I want you to become like a knight experienced in battle, who can give orders to others amid the exploding shells. In the same way, My child, you should know how to master yourself amid the greatest difficulties, and let nothing drive you away from Me, not even your falls (Diary, 1823).

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My Prayer Response:
Lord Jesus, Your coming into my heart by Holy Communion strengthens me to enter into the battle of promoting Your message of The Divine Mercy. Help me to become experienced in battle. May I always be faithful to You.

July 24, 2020

"Announcing the Gospel is the first and greatest act of charity." — St. Arnold Janssen

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, July 23

Spiritual Warfare
Part Five of Conference

Conference on Spiritual Warfare.

Always fight with the deep conviction that I am with you. Do not be guided by feeling, because it is not always under your control; but all merit lies in the will. Always depend upon your superiors, even in the smallest things. I will not delude you with prospects of peace and consolations; on the contrary, prepare for great battles. Know that you are now on a great stage where all heaven and earth are watching you. Fight like a knight, so that I can reward you. Do not be unduly fearful, because you are not alone (Diary, 1760).

My Prayer Response:
Thank You, Lord, for Your conference on spiritual warfare. Promoting Your message of Divine Mercy is a great battle, but with Your grace and presence, I want to fight like a knight!

July 23, 2020

"I will glory not because I am righteous, but because I am redeemed; I will glory not because I am free from sins, but because my sins are forgiven me. I will not glory because I have done good nor because someone has done good to me, but because Christ is my advocate with the Father and because the blood of Christ has been shed for me." — St. Ambrose

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, July 22

Spiritual Warfare
Part Four of Conference

Conference on Spiritual Warfare.

Do not become discouraged by ingratitude. Do not examine with curiosity the roads down which I lead you. When boredom and discouragement beat against your heart, run away from yourself and hide in My Heart. Do not fear struggle; courage itself often intimidates temptations, and they dare not attack us (Diary, 1760).

My Prayer Response:
Thank You, Lord, for the instruction on what to do when discouragement, fatigue, and struggles come upon me. Help me to run away from myself and hide in Your Heart. Give me courage in the midst of the struggle.

July 22, 2020

"Let us thank God for having called us to His holy faith. It is a great gift, and the number of those who thank God for it is small." — St. Alphonsus Liguori

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, July 21

Spiritual Warfare
Part Three of Conference

Conference on Spiritual Warfare.

Observe the rule as faithfully as you can. If someone causes you trouble, think what good you can do for the person who caused you to suffer. Do not pour out your feelings. Be silent when you are rebuked. Do not ask everyone's opinion, but only the opinion of your confessor; be as frank and simple as a child with him (Diary, 1760).

My Prayer Response:
Lord Jesus, thank You, for encouraging me to be faithful to my vocation in the midst of spiritual warfare. Help me to keep these points in mind: consider what good I can do to the person who caused me to suffer; not to pour out my feelings; and to be silent when rebuked.

July 21, 2020

"Make it a practice to judge persons and things in the most favorable light at all times and under all circumstances." — St. Vincent de Paul

Monday's almost over...

Hi everyone,
First I want to thank everyone who is reading my Daily Mercy Minutes.  I hope they bring some peace to your soul, as they do for me.

I hope and pray that you all are healthy and staying safe from this destructive virus.  It is killing so many folks and that's very sad to me.  Many of them are not practicing the issued mandates:  wear a mask whenever you need to go out; stay six feel away from anyone else, except those who live in the same house as you, and stay home as much as possible.

I pray every day asking God to keep me safe from this virus, because I am smart enough to know that if I get it, my chances of surviving are very slim.  So, in return for God keeping me safe, I stay home!
I know what many folks are thinking right now, but for all of us retired people, staying home doesn't mean that you can't be doing something constructive while at home.  There are so many things we can do for other people who aren't as fortunate as we are.  Just make up your mind to put your talents and time to good use by doing something for someone else!

Stay safe and stay indoors!
Susan

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, July 20

Spiritual Warfare
Part Two of Conference

Conference on Spiritual Warfare.

Put your self-love in the last place, so that it does not taint your deeds. Bear with yourself with great patience. Do not neglect interior mortifications. Always justify to yourself the opinions of your superiors and of your confessor. Shun murmurers like a plague. Let all act as they like; you are to act as I want you to (Diary, 1760).

My Prayer Response:
Thank You, Lord, for teaching me about my personal response in spiritual warfare: to set aside self-love, be patient, and make use of mortifications. May I act as You want me to.

July 20, 2020

"You must not abandon the ship in a storm because you cannot control the winds . . . What you cannot turn to good, you must at least make as little bad as you can." — St. Thomas More