Divine Mercy – original
Greetings on this the Optional Memorial of Saint Faustina Kowalska, virgin
Readings: Eph 3:14-19; Psalm 103:1bc-2, 3-4, 8-9, 13-14, 17-18a; Mt 11:25-30
Notes: Such a wonderful soul! Thank you, Saint Faustina, for giving us so much hope and a new means of expression that relaxes the soul and soften our hearts for His Love.
For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
You are a Secretary to the Divine.
A quick essay from the Franciscans (shortened).
At a time when some Catholics had an image of God as such a strict judge that they might be tempted to despair about the possibility of being forgiven, Jesus chose to emphasize his mercy and forgiveness for sins acknowledged and confessed. “I do not want to punish aching mankind,” he once told Saint Faustina, “but I desire to heal it, pressing it to my merciful heart.” The two rays emanating from Christ’s heart, she said, represent the blood and water poured out after Jesus’ death.
Because Sister Maria Faustina knew that the revelations she had already received did not c
Because Sister Maria Faustina knew that the revelations she had already received did not constitute holiness itself, she wrote in her diary: “Neither graces, nor revelations, nor raptures, nor gifts granted to a soul make it perfect, but rather the intimate union of the soul with God. These gifts are merely ornaments of the soul, but constitute neither its essence nor its perfection. My sanctity and perfection consist in the close union of my will with the will of God.”
Reflection
Devotion to God’s Divine Mercy bears some resemblance to devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In both cases, sinners are encouraged not to despair, not to doubt God’s willingness to forgive them if they repent. As Psalm 136 says in each of its 26 verses, “God’s love [mercy] endures forever.”
Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-maria-faustina-kowalska/
Additional link: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message
First Reading
A Benediction
Brothers and sisters: I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love,
Responsorial
O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills,
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him,
For he knows how we are formed;
he remembers that we are dust.
But the kindness of the LORD is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward his children’s children
among those who keep his covenant.
Gospel Acclamation
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Gospel
The same gospel reading two days in a row because of this optional memorial.
One could say, that alone shows the importance of:
- Being childlike before God (open to his wonder, his mercy and his love).
- Rest in him from our burdens.
At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
❤️💯👋🇪🇦