Sunday, April 11, 2010

Jesus, I Trust in You

Today marks the Feast of Divine Mercy, commonly known as "Divine Mercy Sunday." The history of this day goes back to a young humble polish nun, St. Faustina Kowalska. In the diary she kept, Jesus speaks to her of this day:

"My daughter, tell the whole world about My Inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.

The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.


Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will I contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy." (Diary of St. Faustina, 699)

Rejoice for His Mercy is Great!!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Pope offers condolences, prayers for Polish people after plane crash :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

From the Catholic News Agency:

Vatican City, Apr 10, 2010 / 11:29 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Holy Father expressed his sorrow over the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and those accompanying him on a flight to Russia on Saturday morning. Pope Benedict remembered all of those who died and implored "a special blessing to the people of Poland from God omnipotent."

According to CNN, President Kaczynski, his wife, top members of the Polish government, army and several Church authorities were on the plane that went down just seconds from landing at the airport of Smolensk, Russia. The aircraft apparently clipped some trees with a wing as it made its way through heavy fog. Reports vary on the number of people on the plane, but counts run from 89 to 132 people, none of whom survived.

The delegation was headed to the small village of Katyn, a few kilometers from Smolensk, in a landmark visit to observe the 70th anniversary of the execution of more than 20,000 Polish officers during World War II.

Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his telegram to the acting President of the Polish Parliament, Bronislaw Komorowski, that it was with "profound sorrow" that he learned of the deaths of those who were on their way to Katyn.

He remembered the president, the exiled ex-president of the Republic Ryszard Kaczorowski, Army chaplain and Bishop Tadeusz Plozki, Orthodox Archbishop Miron Chodakowski and Evangelical military pastor Adam Pilsch by name.

He entrusted all of the victims of the crash "to the goodness of merciful God" and prayed, "May He take them into his glory."

To the families of the dead and to all Poles he sent his "sincere condolences" and assured his them of spiritual closeness.

"In this difficult moment," he closed, "I implore for all the people of Poland a special blessing of God omnipotent."

Musings...

There is a sheer brutality, a truth, that speaks of the realness of being human. What is a soul? Where and how do we find one another in the paths our lives take? When one soul touches another, how does that speak of God? How can we be more human, and so come to see the reality of our souls? For as the soul is created, so also is the body. What does it mean, to BE?

Out of darkness....comes light....So how can we begin to rise, without first falling? Out of suffering, comes compassion, and a deeper insight into the reality of what it means to BE Human.

Christ was not only our Savior and Lord, but in great humility, was also explicitly the most HUMAN. How did Jesus, being fully human, aside from being fully God, live what we call the "human condition?" There is much we do not know...but what we do, is that He suffered, but also rejoiced! How do we come to live in the example He left?

Where does time stop, and Heaven begin? Or rather does time enfold into the reality of Heaven we could not understand? If our Lord created Heaven AND Earth, are they not therefore connected through our Creator?

Why do we love? How do we persevere in Love? Do we understand Who is Love? What is at the heart of a person when you look into the window of their soul, and how do you begin to see yourself in their place?

All I know, is that Jesus loves me, and I Him. There is something about the realness of being human, yes. But also, something that is more real than can be explained....in the connection of our hearts, to God.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter Joy - Peace that Overcomes

It's so hard sometimes not to let one's emotions get the best of you. As I've come through a rather difficult Lenten Season...the questions continue to arise...What am I doing? Where am I going? What is Your will Lord? Why am I going through this? What is to become of me? These questions lay heavy on my heart...and can be difficult to shake.

Often, I find myself looking to the future, perhaps too much so. I have a hard time living in the present moment, and yet, I know that I must continue to seek God's will. Finding that balance, is particularly difficult. Not only that, but then facing temptations right and left, and feeling very much alone in my search....it is only by God's grace, I know very well, and HIS LOVE, that I am able to continue.

However, I know that amidst all that is happening, especially in when I am undergoing trial, that it is then when I must flee to Jesus's heart. Because it is only there, ONLY THERE, that I know I am wholly loved, safe, and can find true peace.

I continue to pray much, always asking the Blessed Mother to watch over me. I know very well her prayers have helped sustain me through our Lord. I've learned that I must choose to trust as well. I must continue to run to Jesus, and simply tell Him, yes, Lord, Your Will Be Done, I Trust in You. And in this, in trusting and finding the sanctuary of Jesus's heart, there is peace, and a joy that cannot be explained. It is a true miracle of Grace.

So much is happening in the world, and will continue to happen. I look at my own life, and realize just how small it is amongst the goings-on in the world!! And yet...the God who orders all things...wishes to Love me...and not only that, but with a Love surpassing all knowledge, time, and human capacity. There is definitely joy in knowing this! What should we not want to do for the sake of Jesus's Love??

I remember this passage..knowing Jesus Himself gives us His Peace:
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you." (John 19-21)

Easter Blessings to all of you, and many heartfelt prayers. Please pray for me!

Rejoice! He is Risen! Alleluia!!!!