As a side note, it was a pleasant surprise that we started with Eucharist Adoration, and then Sr. Paulette spoke. My husband and I discussed that this is probably due to the fact that Fr. Kawecki likes things being done with a liturgical basis - something we are both very grateful for.
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the love and mercy of Christ as well. The following verses are all from the morning prayer in the Magnificat (a shorter form of the Liturgy of the Hours in a sense) from last Thursday.
"Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" - Mark 6:50
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been similarly tested in every way, yet without sin." - Hebrews 4:15
"I will never take back my love; my truth will never fail." - Psalms 89:34
Having done the Novena of Divine Mercy has greatly increased my awareness of Christ's mercy. Due to numerous factors (including the time I spent in an ultra-conservative Protestant denomination) I feel that I had become so fearful of God that I could not experience the type of intimacy with Him that is really necessary for full faith. However, via the novena I believe I have become much closer to understanding the Divine Mercy (and Love) of Christ. I think the three verses I quoted above help to encompass what I had been missing in my shortsightedness.
The verse from Mark reminds me that I do not need to be afraid of the constant presence of God, but rather to hold him in a worshiping fashion, not out of fear, but out of love.
The verse from Hebrews makes me recall that when I sin that God understands the types of temptation that await us. Thus, he has a comprehension of how weak the body can be and why we would do anything against His Will.
Psalms tells me that the Love of God is something I can never lose - no matter how bad things can get.
This may seem very elementary (and I think I would agree that it is) but it has been a great hurdle for me over the past year - much more so than the more common stumbling block of understanding why there is suffering in the world. I am very grateful for my continuing spiritual growth, and hope to continue down this path.
Jesus, I trust in you!
2 comments:
Wow, that's so neat that you met one of St. Faustina's cousins! Does she do parish visits often? It would be so cool to have her come to my parish someday.
Hi Maggie! She lives in Washington D.C. now, but she was originally from Uniontown, PA near our Parish so she has a lot of family there. I believe that she does travel to different parishes, but am unsure how far or how often. She writes a lot of books though. It was a real blessing that we got to have her.
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