Letting go of fear, of our idols about God Love casts our fear. Since I came to love God with my whole being and with all the strength of my heart, fear has left me. Even if I were to hear the most terrifying things about God’s justice, I would not fear Him at all, because I have come to know Him well. God is love, and His Spirit is peace. I see now that my deeds which have flowed from love are more perfect than those which I have done out of fear. I have placed my trust in God and fear nothing. I have given myself over to His holy will; let Him do with me as He wishes, and I will still love Him. (Divine Mercy Diary 589) Jesus told Sr. Faustina that there are two ways gates that we must choose to enter. One is the gate of mercy, the other the gate of justice. When people think of the justice of God, they often unconsciously (I know that I do more or less), go by their own human ability to show justice to others, or mercy for that matter. It is all very subjective and depending on our past, how much we have been loved or not, will lead us to be more or less fearful of God in a servile way. When in fact,’ Justice,’ and “Mercy,’ are the same thing, for both are based on absolute truth when applied to God. God is all mercy as well as infinitely just, they are not opposed to each other. St. Paul says the Jesus is God’s “YES”, there is only openness from God towards his children, all of them. This points to the reality that in the end, when we stand before God, no matter what we receive (mercy or justice), both the soul and God agree completely. All is taken into account, instantly, and I think the mercy is received much more often than many believe. For who can understand Infinite Love, Compassion, and Mercy, since it is far beyond any human conception. The deeper a human being loves another (sees the beloved), the more that is understood and forgiven. If the beloved does not want forgiveness, then all that is possible is separation, which is done on the part of the one who freely rejects mercy. “Freely’ is the operative word here. The Lord sees all, understands all and only God knows when that free choice has been made to reject him. All who seek God will find him; all who knock will find the door opening to them, for in fact it has never been closed. People who seek God and fall constantly into the same sins, but continually rise and begin again, give great glory to God for they trust in his mercy, even if they have to swim against the current of neurotic fear. In paragraph 1485 Jesus speaks to Sr. Faustian of his boundless mercy towards the greatness sinner: The mercy of God, hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, the voice of the Lord who speaks to us from the throne of mercy: Come to Me, all of you. Jesus: Be not afraid of your Savior; O sinful soul. I make the first move to come to you, for I know that by yourself you are unable to lift yourself to me. Child, do not run away from your Father; be willing to talk openly with your God of mercy who wants to speak words of pardon and lavish his graces on you. How dear your soul is to Me! I have inscribed your name upon My hand; you are engraved as a deep wound in My Heart. –1485 It seems to me that Jesus almost seems desperate to free of us our fear of God, a kind of fear that makes us slaves instead of his beloved children, each no more precious than the other. Sr. Faustina, was created, and given her many graces, so that she could speak to each one of us, she is for us, just as Jesus is for us all, and seeks us all. Only look to Jesus, his mercy, not to one’s own self. For we do not understand ourselves, we often don’t know why we do the things we do, yet we still love and seek God….for God’s grace never leaves us. When a soul makes that choice to turn from God (and only God knows when that happens) I would think that all fear of God would be gone, and a certain kind of freedom would emerge, one opposed to the freedom of the Children of God. The sacrament of reconciliation keeps our souls and hearts open to mercy, to the healing balm of the Holy Spirit, whose fire will slowly purify and heal us, even if takes a lifetime. Jesus, I trust in you, have mercy on us and on the whole world.—Br.MD
Br. Mark There are many things to ponder here in your post. In prayer even at Adoration, I find that sometimes my mind wanders away to "righteous" thoughts on someone whom I am displeased with. I know that praying for such persons is the answer, ...but often similar thoughts gain access again. Is there anything I need do to prevent such distractions. God Bless
The mind wanders, just calmly come back to prayer. Some people say the mind is like "a drunken monkey" jumping from tree to tree. I believe prayer aids like the rosary and prayerful reading help to keep the mind on track.....even then we need to simply come back to the Lord's presence when we realize that we have wandered off. Peace mark
Mark I have recently looked at my prayer life and I see that over the last few years, I actually add up my prayers each day to make sure I have did what is required!? I make sure I have said the rosary, the divine mercy chaplet, the chaplet of the sorrows of mary , the magnificate, the spiritual communion and I could go on and on as there is at least another 12 lots of prayers that I must pray each day. Also I am so pleased with myself when I get extra rosarys and chaplets said each day? Like some autocratic 12 year old, girl guide, trying to accomplish a badge! I have a number of prayers that I have promised God each day and I find that I always "get through them" [how pathetic is that, for starters]. However recently the Lord is showing me that there may be times that these prayers may not be said! Well that is Shock and horror to me! In my mind and soul I neally go ballistic! when I discover I have not had the time to get a prayer said! I then quickly say the missed prayers to get through them and tick that off the list! However, I realise this ballistic attitude of my soul is not a good thing! ============================================ The other day I had the realisation that in my time poor life [at the moment] all the Lord wanted was just my attention! at that moment! Not my attention to the prayers I was praying. But I was at an amiss with this and decided to just keep praying the required prayers hoping I was doing the right thing! You see, I am so scared to just let things go or lead themselves and forget about my promised prayers! I hope you understand! I am acutely aware of my potential complacency if I were to miss my prayers, and heaven forbid, I could fall into a habit of this! so I dare not stray from the course I am on! [you see I know myself and how undisciplined I can be, so it is scary when God says....... just be with me]! Is there a happy medium? And what do you think the Lord is asking of me now? I never trust myself! I know this is a big and difficult question to ask of you! I am sorry: but if the Lord gives you an answer could you please convey that to me. Thank you Carolyn
Pray the way you can my friend. Prayer is the goal if prayers lead to that you are doing well. On days when you are dry, pray the rosary slowly, don't worry about doing the whole five decades. On days when you start your prayers and feel the need to simply sit in quiet do that, which is a deeper form of prayer. It is always our intent that is important. Also, do you do spritural reading everyday? It is all about a loving, trusting relationship with God, all else is secondary. Peace mark
Yes most days I do a considerable amount of spiritual reading. I have made prayer a priority so, if life has many committments I must get my prayers said, and than I feel at peace but maybe this peace is just a peace of mind? that I have did what I have committed myself to do! I am struggling with these thoughts at the moment. Thank you for your reply and words of encouragement. God bless
“If the work of our sanctification presents, apparently, the most insurmountable difficulties, it is because we do not know how to form a just idea of it. In reality sanctity can be reduced to one single practice, fidelity to the duties appointed by God. Now this fidelity is equally within each one's power whether in its active practice, or passive exercise. The active practice of fidelity consists in accomplishing the duties which devolve upon us whether imposed by the general laws of God and of the Church, or by the particular state that we may have embraced. Its passive exercise consists in the loving acceptance of all that God sends us at each moment.” ― Jean-Pierre de Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence
Josephite I have similar daily quota of prayers I want to say, but it should not drown out any movement of the Spirit in the soul, by the strength of its compulsion. I believe He treasures personal intimacy more than all else. God Bless
