Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, January 31   Deeds of Mercy Pray for Your Enemies

My daughter, in this meditation, consider the love of neighbor. Is your love for your neighbor guided by My love? Do you pray for your enemies? Do you wish well to those who have, in one way or another, caused you sorrow or offended you?    Know that whatever good you do to any soul, I accept it as if you had done it to Me (Diary, 1768).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, help me to pray for my enemies and for those who have caused me sorrows. Teach me to live Your word: "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of Mine, you did for Me" (Mt 25:40).

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, January 30   Deeds of Mercy  Be Always Merciful

[After St. Faustina fed a poor young man a bowl of soup, she writes:]  As I was taking the bowl from him, he gave me to know that He was the Lord of heaven and earth. ... I heard these words in my soul: My daughter, the blessings of the poor who bless Me as they leave this gate have reached My ears. And your compassion, within the bounds of obedience, has pleased Me, and this is why I came down from My throne — to taste the fruits of your mercy (Diary, 1312).

Then I heard the words, I am glad you behaved like My true daughter. Be always merciful as I am merciful. Love everyone out of love for Me, even your greatest enemies, so that My mercy may be fully reflected in your heart (Diary, 1695).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, help me to "be merciful just as Your Father is merciful" (Lk 6:36). May I always be merciful — always, everywhere, and to everyone.

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, January 29    Deeds of Mercy  Spiritual Mercy

I understand Your words, Lord, and the magnitude of the mercy that ought to shine in my soul. Jesus: I know, My daughter, that you understand it and that you do everything within your power. But write this for the many souls who are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul. If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment (Diary, 1317).

My Prayer Response:     My Jesus, thank You for teaching us through St. Faustina about "spiritual mercies" when we do not have material goods to give. We can always encourage others by our word, by our prayer, and by our kindness — and especially by sacrifice lovingly accomplished, which You, Jesus, called exercising mercy in spirit (Diary, 1316).

Saturday's Mercy Minutes

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, January 28   Deeds of Mercy  Our Task

September 6,'37. Today, I begin a new assignment. I go from the garden to the desert of the gate. I went in to talk to the Lord for a while. I asked Him for a blessing and for graces to faithfully carry out the duties entrusted to me. I heard these words: My daughter, I am always with you. I have given you the opportunity to practice deeds of mercy which you will perform according to obedience. You will give Me much pleasure if, each evening, you will speak to Me especially about this task. I felt that Jesus had given me a new grace in relation to my new duties; but, despite this, I have locked myself deeper in His Heart (Diary, 1267).

My Prayer Response:  Jesus, please give me opportunities to practice deeds of mercy. Open my eyes and ears to the needs of those around me. And lead me deeper into Your Heart of love and mercy for all.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, January 27  Deeds of Mercy  Deeds Done for Me

The doctor did not allow me to go to the chapel to attend the Passion Service, although I had a great desire for it; however, I prayed in my own room. Suddenly I heard the bell in the next room, and I went in and rendered a service to a seriously sick person. When I returned to my room, I suddenly saw the Lord Jesus, who said, My daughter, you gave Me greater pleasure by rendering Me that service than if you had prayed for a long time. I answered, "But it was not to You, Jesus, but to that patient that I rendered this service." And the Lord answered me, Yes, My daughter, but whatever you do for your neighbor, you do for Me (Diary, 1029).

My Prayer Response:  Thank You, Jesus, for teaching us through St. Faustina: Whatever you do for your neighbor, you do for Me (see Mt 25:40). Help us, Lord Jesus, to respond with deeds of mercy whenever You appear in the disguise of the needy, as did Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, January 26   Deeds of MercyA Reminder of the Demands

Yes, the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be acts of mercy, and I demand the worship of My mercy through the solemn celebration of the Feast and through the veneration of the image which is painted. By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works (Diary, 742).

My Prayer Response with St. Faustina:  O my Jesus, You Yourself must help me in everything, because You see how very little I am, and so I depend solely on Your goodness, O God (Diary, 742).

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, January 25   

Deeds of Mercy The Demand for Deeds of Mercy My daughter, if I demand through you that people revere My mercy, you should be the first to distinguish yourself by this confidence in My mercy. I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it (Diary, 742).

I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third— by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy (Diary, 742).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, help me to respond to Your demand for deeds of mercy. Fill me with Your love for my neighbor. Help me then to show my love for You by exercising mercy toward my neighbor in three ways: by deed, by word, and by prayer.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, January 24   Beg for Mercy Thrice Holy God   Write: I am Thrice Holy, and I detest the smallest sin. I cannot love a soul which is stained with sin; but when it repents, there is no limit to My generosity toward it. My mercy embraces and justifies it. With My mercy, I pursue sinners along all their paths, and My Heart rejoices when they return to Me. I forget the bitterness with which they fed My Heart and rejoice at their return (Diary, 1728).

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 (Diary, 1738).

My Prayer Response:  O Thrice Holy God, You detest even the smallest sin in souls. Hear my plea for Your mercy on us sinners on earth and those in purgatory. Cleanse us as we repent and return to You. May our return give You joy.

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, January 23   Beg for Mercy  Moving Heaven

             Good Friday [April 15,'38]. I saw the Lord Jesus, tortured, but not nailed to the Cross. It was still before the crucifixion, and He said to me, You are My Heart. Speak to sinners about My mercy. And the Lord gave me interior knowledge of the whole abyss of His mercy for souls, and I learned that that which I had written is truly a drop (Diary, 1666).
             I heard these words: If you did not tie My hands, I would send down many punishments upon the earth. My daughter, your look disarms My anger. Although your lips are silent, you call out to Me so mightily that all heaven is moved. I cannot escape from your requests, because you pursue Me, not from afar but within your own heart (Diary, 1722).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, through the intercession of St. Faustina, teach me how to beg for mercy on the whole world and move all of heaven like she did! Give me Your Heart, Lord, so I can appreciate better the whole abyss of Your mercy for souls.

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, January 22   Beg for Mercy A Burning Desire to Save Souls

The Lord said to me, The loss of each soul plunges Me into mortal sadness. You always console Me when you pray for sinners. The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion of sinners. Know, My daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered (Diary, 1397).

March 25,'38. Today, I saw the suffering Lord Jesus. He leaned down toward me and whispered softly, My daughter, help Me to save sinners. Suddenly, a burning desire to save souls entered my soul. When I recovered my senses, I knew just how I was to help souls, and I prepared myself for greater sufferings (Diary, 1645).

My Prayer Response:    Lord Jesus, I want to respond to Your "mortal sadness" caused by the loss of each soul. Give me a "burning desire to save souls" like that of St. Faustina. Give me the graces to even suffer for the conversion of sinners.

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, January 21   Beg for Mercy  Be Not Afraid  Today, I have heard these words: My daughter, delight of My Heart, it is with pleasure that I look into your soul. I bestow many graces only because of you. I also withhold My punishments only because of you. You restrain Me, and I cannot vindicate the claims of My justice. You bind My hands with your love (Diary, 1193).

Today I heard a voice in my soul: Oh, if sinners knew My mercy, they would not perish in such great numbers. Tell sinful souls not to be afraid to approach Me; speak to them of My great mercy (Diary, 1396).

My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, fill my heart with love of You like that of St. Faustina, so You may be delighted and grant many graces as I beg for mercy for souls. May many more sinners come to know of Your mercy while it is still time for mercy.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, January 20  Beg for Mercy  Our Duty

December 16, ['36]. I have offered this day for Russia. ... After Holy Communion, Jesus said to me, I cannot suffer that country any longer. Do not tie my hands, My daughter. I understood that if it had not been for the prayers of souls that are pleasing to God, that whole nation would have already been reduced to nothingness (Diary, 818).

When once I asked the Lord Jesus how He could tolerate so many sins and crimes and not punish them, the Lord answered me, I have eternity for punishing [these], and so I am prolonging the time of mercy for the sake of [sinners]. But woe to them if they do not recognize this time of My visitation. My daughter, secretary of My mercy, your duty is not only to write about and proclaim My mercy, but also to beg for this grace for them, so that they too may glorify My mercy (Diary, 1160).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, thank You for instructing St. Faustina not only to write about Your mercy toward sinners but also to beg for mercy for them.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes....

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, January 19   Beg for Mercy The Fruit of Begging 

On the First Friday of the month, before Communion, I saw a large ciborium filled with sacred hosts. A hand placed the ciborium in front of me, and I took it in my hands. There were a thousand living hosts inside. Then I heard a voice, These are hosts which have been received by the souls for whom you have obtained the grace of true conversion during this Lent. That was a week before Good Friday (Diary, 640).

Then suddenly I saw the Lord, who clasped me to His Heart and said to me, My daughter, do not weep, for I cannot bear your tears. I will grant you everything you ask for, but stop crying. And I was filled with great joy, and my spirit, as usual, was drowned in Him as in its only treasure (Diary, 928).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, thank You for Your loving and tender response to St. Faustina's intercession for souls. It encourages us to be loving and tender in our intercession for souls in need of Your mercy.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, January 18   Beg for Mercy Beg Mercy for Loved Ones

On one occasion, after a person had asked me for prayer, when I met the Lord I said to Him, "Jesus, I especially love those souls whom You love." And Jesus answered, And as for Me, I bestow special graces on those souls for whom you intercede (Diary, 599).

After Holy Communion today, I spoke at length to the Lord Jesus about people who are special to me. Then I heard these words: My daughter, don't be exerting yourself so much with words. Those whom you love in a special way, I too love in a special way, and for your sake, I shower My graces upon them. I am pleased when you tell Me about them, but don't be doing so with such excessive effort (Diary, 739).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, shower with mercy all the people that we love in a special way as we intercede for them and for the whole world. Lord, I especially remember my family members and close friends.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, January 17    Beg for Mercy For the Whole World

My daughter, I have inclined My Heart to your requests. Your assignment and duty here on earth is to beg for mercy for the whole world. No soul will be justified until it turns with confidence to My mercy, and this is why the first Sunday after Easter is to be the Feast of Mercy. On that day, priests are to tell everyone about My great and unfathomable mercy. I am making you the [dispenser] of My mercy. Tell the confessor that the Image is to be on view in the church and not within the enclosure in that convent. By means of this Image I shall be granting many graces to souls; so, let every soul have access to it (Diary, 570).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus I unite myself with St. Faustina, the dispenser of Your Mercy, to beg for mercy on the whole world. May every soul have access to the image of You as The Divine Mercy and to the Feast of Mercy.

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, January 16    Beg for Mercy The Power of a Confident Soul

On one occasion the Lord said to me, My daughter, your confidence and love restrain My justice, and I cannot inflict punishment because you hinder Me from doing so. Oh, how great is the power of a soul filled with confidence! (Diary, 198).

My daughter, for the sake of your sincere and generous love, I grant [certain souls who displease Me] many graces although they are not asking Me for them. But I am doing so because of the promise I have made to you (Diary, 383).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, I join St. Faustina in her great trust and love of You to restrain Your justice and to call down many graces of Your mercy on this world, which is so in need of mercy. I particularly remember the souls of those I know who are far from You.

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, January 15  Beg for Mercy  A Way to Beg

After Communion, I heard the voice saying, My daughter, look into the abyss of My mercy and give praise and glory to this mercy of Mine. Do it in this way: Gather all sinners from the entire world and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. I want to give Myself to souls; I yearn for souls, My daughter. On the day of My feast, the Feast of Mercy, you will go through the whole world and bring fainting souls to the spring of My mercy. I shall heal and strengthen them (Diary, 206).

My Prayer Response:   Thank You, Lord Jesus, for teaching us a way to beg for Your mercy on souls. As the Church, we, Your Body, immerse them in the ocean of Your mercy — "baptizing" them in Your mercy. We plunge all fainting souls in the world into the abyss of Your mercy.

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, January 14   Trust/Distrust Ask for Much

I rejoice that [souls] ask for much, because it is My desire to give much, very much. On the other hand, I am sad when souls ask for little, when they narrow their hearts (Diary, 1578).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, I want to please You and have You rejoice as I ask, seek, and knock for more and more of Your mercy not only for myself but for those who "narrow their hearts" and ask for so little. Expand all of our hearts, so we can trust more and receive more.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, January 13   Trust/Distrust  The Vessel of Trust

The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is — trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive. Souls that trust boundlessly are a great comfort to Me, because I pour all the treasures of My graces into them (Diary, 1578).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, expand my capacity to trust in You! I and so many souls need and want more of Your mercy. Help us with Your mercy to desire more, to ask for more, so we may receive more graces. Fill our hearts with thanksgiving for Your mercy and help us share the graces we receive.

Thursday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Thursday, January 12  Trust/Distrust Boundless Trust in My Mercy

Let souls who are striving for perfection particularly adore My mercy, because the abundance of graces which I grant them flows from My mercy. I desire that these souls distinguish themselves by boundless trust in My mercy. I Myself will attend to the sanctification of such souls. I will provide them with everything they will need to attain sanctity (Diary, 1578).

My Prayer Response:  Lord Jesus, I am striving for perfection, but I really need more of Your mercy. I am nothing without You. Teach me and all souls striving for sanctity how to adore Your mercy and to trust in You still more!

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, January 11   Trust/Distrust  Hearts Open to My Mercy

Tell souls not to place within their own hearts obstacles to My mercy, which so greatly wants to act within them. My mercy works in all those hearts which open their doors to it. Both the sinner and the righteous person have need of My mercy. Conversion, as well as perseverance, is a grace of My mercy (Diary, 1577).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, help me to be more present to Your presence in my heart. I pray for the grace of Your mercy that I may persevere in keeping my heart open to You. And I pray that the hardened hearts of sinners may be softened for conversion, which is also a grace of Your mercy.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, January 10  Trust/Distrust Even Chosen Souls Hurt Me

Jesus complained to me of how painful to Him is the unfaithfulness of chosen souls and My Heart is even more wounded by their distrust after a fall. It would be less painful if they had not experienced the goodness of My Heart (Diary, 1532).

My Prayer Response:   Jesus, I confess my unfaithfulness and need for deeper trust in You. May I cry out to You in the words of the father interceding for his son possessed by a mute spirit: "I do believe. Help my lack of trust!" (Mk 9:24).

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, January 9  Trust/Distrust A Living Fountain of Mercy

Today the Lord said to me, I have opened My Heart as a living fountain of mercy. Let all souls draw life from it. Let them approach this sea of mercy with great trust. Sinners will attain justification, and the just will be confirmed in good. Whoever places his trust in My mercy will be filled with My divine peace at the hour of death (Diary, 1520).

My Prayer Response:   Lord Jesus, I come to Your open Heart, a living fountain of mercy, an ocean of mercy — with trust in You! I come and appeal to Your mercy both for sinners and for the just that we may all be filled with Your divine peace at the hour of death.

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, January 8   Trust/Distrust  Appeal to My Mercy

Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy (Diary, 1146).

My Prayer Response:    Jesus, I appeal to Your mercy for me a sinner and for mercy on the whole world. Help all of us to appeal to Your great mercy. May we be justified by Your unfathomable and inscrutable mercy!

Saturday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Saturday, January 7   Trust/Distrust Mercy for Tormented Souls

[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls (Diary, 1146).

My Prayer Response:  Jesus, may tormented and hardened sinners turn with trust to Your mercy. Reveal to them that Your mercy is forgiveness for the seemingly unforgivable sin. May Your mercy bring them peace, joy, and healing.

Friday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Friday, January 6   Trust/Distrust The Bowels of My Mercy

Write this: Everything that exists is enclosed in the bowels of My mercy, more deeply than an infant in its mother's womb. How painfully distrust of My goodness wounds Me! Sins of distrust wound Me most painfully (Diary, 1076).

My Prayer Response:    Jesus, how deeply and tenderly You love us. Help me to trust in You even more! May my trust in You bring You consolation in the painful wounds You suffer because of sins of distrust.

Wednesday's Mercy Minutes

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Wednesday, January 4  Trust/Distrust Believe My Wounds  My Heart is sorrowful, Jesus said, because even chosen souls do not understand the greatness of My mercy. Their relationship [with Me] is, in certain ways, imbued with mistrust. Oh, how much that wounds My Heart! Remember My Passion, and if you do not believe My words, at least believe My wounds (Diary, 379).

My Prayer Response:  O my Jesus, may my prayer bring joy to Your Heart as You pierce the hearts of even chosen souls who mistrust You in some ways. May they remember Your Passion and believe Your wounds suffered for them.

Tuesday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Tuesday, January 3  Trust/Distrust Hurt by a Soul's Distrust

Oh, how much I am hurt by a soul's distrust! Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just, but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness. Even the devils glorify My Justice but do not believe in My Goodness.

My Heart rejoices in this title of Mercy (Diary, 300).

My Prayer Response:  O Jesus, may distrusting souls, by Your special grace, profess and proclaim that You are mercy and goodness Itself! Hear my prayer that Your Heart may rejoice as these souls turn to You with trust.

Monday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Monday, January 2  Trust/Distrust Distrust Is Tearing at My Insides

Jesus complained to me in these words, Distrust on the part of souls is tearing at My insides. The distrust of a chosen soul causes Me even greater pain; despite My inexhaustible love for them they do not trust Me. Even My death is not enough for them. Woe to the soul that abuses these [gifts] (Diary, 50).

My Prayer Response:  Jesus, open the hearts of distrusting souls, especially the hearts of chosen souls to Your mercy. As they receive Your mercy, may they give You joy!

Sunday's Mercy Minutes...

 

Divine Mercy Daily

Reflections from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska

Sunday, January 1  Trust/Distrust The Role of Priests I desire that priests proclaim this great mercy of Mine towards souls of sinners. Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me. The flames of mercy are burning Me — clamoring to be spent; I want to pour them out upon these souls (Diary, 50).

My Prayer Response:  Jesus, inspire priests to proclaim to sinners Your mercy. May the flames of mercy that burn You, burn out the sins of those who receive Your mercy.