In other words, Mary (and her husband, Joseph) walked by faith and not by sight, as St. John Paul II makes clear: During the years of Jesus hidden life in the house at Nazareth, Marys life too is hid with Christ in God" (cf. In times of darkness, when youre tempted to think theres no way you can become a saint remember that smile. As soon as I heard Fr. 1 mean, here it seems as if nobody believes in God, and living by faith is hard. But now we know that Therese also suffered the temptation to wonder whether 110 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE there even is a God and a heaven. A Sequel That Stands Alone But Shouldn't. I want to work for Your Love alone with the one purpose of pleasing You, consoling Your Sacred Heart. The merits lan guage has to do with the reward of heaven (imperfect love). Their extraordi nary love consists in their efforts to keep trying, to keep striving to love God and neighbor in the little things. To one degree or another, as sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, we all have a trust prob lem. Open the eyes of my heart with your love that I may see my need for your Merciful Love. He truly comes to visit diem widi a superabundance of his mercy! In short, its to allow Jesus to make our hearts more like liis. I say that because Im one of what St. Therese calls the little souls. And one thing is clear in her teaching: God is pleased to use such Introduction 21 souls as the special forces of his army. This blind hope in your mercy, O Lord, is my only treasure. And isnt he the one who inspired these desires in the first place? Whats the word he speaks as he knocks at the heart of every man? But know that your decision is going to cost you some work. For instance, in preparation for her First Holy Com munion at age 10, she made and recorded 1,949 small sacrifices and 2,773 short prayers!37 (Thankfully, Jesus himself later taught her, as she put it, not to count up my acts.38) Much worse, though, was her painful bout with scruples, which often goes along with Jansenist thinking. But how do we console him? So we help Jesus by letting him help us! The P first friend is Fr. Right again. Confidendy, I stated my conclusion, And so 40 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE the best way to remove that thorn and console him is to fra# him. Michael, youre absolutely right. Great! I said to myself, Its all about trusting Jesus in order to console him. At that point, 1 thought I was all set. She, too, had a heart that was bleeding and broken. God is so good. Of course, youre going to want to continue to live the Little Way by doing the three diings we learned about on Day 11: (1) Keep recognizing the dark ness of your littleness and brokenness. 'You Did it to Me': A Practical Guide to Mercy in Action [This book] blew me away. It means not settling for complacency or mediocrity or the attitude that says, Well, thats just who I am. In other words, it means striving to be faithful to examining our consciences every day. Think of it: God loves us so much more than we love him. "download pdf 33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Divine Mercy Consecration by Michael E. Gaitley on Kindle Full Edition. After all, only the merciful will be shown mercy (see Mt 5:7, 18:2135). Description. 87 Cited in ibid. Y26-2ME Y26-2MEDVD The Second Greatest Story Ever Told Father Michael Gaitley, MIC, expounds on the pro found connection between Divine Mercy and Marian consecration, culminating in the person of John Paul II. My heart is a living 188 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE tabernacle in which the living Host is reserved. 31 Cited by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter Divini Amoris Scientia, October 19, 1997,10. I ask all this in Jesus name. Whats the medication? After all, shes a creature like us. I hope that by holding on in faith to that greatest expression of love in the midst of our own trials and darkness, well find peace, and even joy and maybe even sing a song of praise. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, author of the popular book Consoling the Heart of Jesus, comes an extraordinary 33-day journey to Marian consecration with four giants of Marian spirituality: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II. Maybe youre not quite ready. I recommend that a family make such an offering (or renew it) on one of their favorite Marian feasts, on St. Josephs feast day (March 19), or on one of the Mercy feasts such as the memorial of St. Therese of Lisicux (Oct. 1), the memorial of St. Faustina APPENDIX TWO: Family Offering & Image Enthronement 173 (Oct. 5), Divine Mercy Sunday (the Second Sunday of Easter),220 or Trinity' Sunday, which is the day St. Therese first received the inspiration to offer herself to Merciful Love. Michael Gaitley)-Consecration to Merciful Love Certificate -Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love prayer card-St. Thrse card (limite Anyway, heres the point. (See also ibid.) The all powerful God man, the one who walks on water, casts out demons, and heals the deaf and the blind that great man, in a certain sense, is powerless when we dont give him our faith! By this, I mean that when you make the Offering, you could also solemnly put up an Image of Divine Mercy' in a place of honor in your home (if D 174 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE you dont already have an image there). Its the Good News that Jesus has the Heart of the Good Shepherd who will even leave behind the 99 to go in search of the one lost sheep. Therese had often heard of such victim souls to Gods justice, and she was deeply impressed with their generosity. But her pierced Heart is different from that of her Sons. Endnotes 199 182 Again, for group recitation, I recommend the Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love. Basically, the longing of the soul for God becomes so intense that the thread of this life is broken. Still, we do have a lot of freedom regarding how we approach the truths of the moral life, which things well emphasize, and which truths weU especially choose to live by. I mean, even if we have plenty of accomplishments and beautiful selfies, there will still be that self-accusing ache that creeps in and says, Youve not attained a destiny of greatness. See also The Context ofHoliness, pp. 1 believe it will become a spiritual classic, right up there with 33 Days to Morning Glory.''' Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: Day 6: Day 7: Eve of Darkness. 27 Our Father in Faith . 29 Our Mother in Faith .. 31 Marys Pilgrimage of Faith.. 34 Marys Trial of Faith ..36 Marys Song of Faith..38 New Eve of Light and Life.. 41 WEEK TWO: The Little Way Day 8: None More Lowly 47 Dav 9: Discovery of die Little Way 50 Dav 10: Discovery of Divine Mercy . 52 Day 11: Do Three Things . 55 Day 12: You Will Become a Saint .. 57 Day 13: Prophet of Mercy 60 Day 14: No More Thieves of Hope . 63 WEEK THREE: The Ottering to Merciful Love Day 15: What Its Not . 69 Day 16: What It Is .. 72 Day 17: Whats die Catch? Hes perfectly happy in and of himself. More specifically, were going to reflect on the root of the worlds darkness and how it affected St. Therese. Emphasis added. As I already mentioned, this retreat lasts for 33 days, but the idea is not to begin on just any day. To help us understand, listen to what the Lord himself said to St. Faustina about the rejected grace and mercy of his Heart:93 I desire to bestow My graces upon souls, but they do not want to accept them. (This is probably why we dont see in our churches statues of the Sacred Brain of Jesus but, rather, statues of his Sacred Heart.) In other words, what we think is right and wrong may not actually be whats truly right and wrong. Theyre die important and accomplished people. 134 Regarding mortal sin and venial sin, the Catechism teaches: Sins are rightly evaluated according to their gravity. Doesnt the inflow of air feel great? Libraries. But more than a spiritual genius which she certainly is St. Therese is a prophet. "71 Actually, come to think of it, she did have one merit: her trust. She says, Raise your litde foot to scale the stairway of holiness.62 Of course, we wont be successful, but Therese tiien adds, God requires you only to demonstrate 56 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE your good will. In other words, we just need to give it a try. I say that because, while she was not physically crucified at Calvary, she did suffer a kind of spiritual crucifixion. Now, of course, it doesnt give us freedom to choose when it comes to something like the Ten Command ments. Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of Gods law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior good to him. We saw how the Mass is our way of anticipating and partici pating in the perfect love of God for himself, and thereby, a way to become perfect ourselves. 196 Diary, 244. Shes telling you not to be afraid. ISBN-13 : 9781596143456 So dont forget to smile. Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Because such suffering, by its very nature, is other-directed. and trans. 1 ask all this in Jesus name. An Age when all people can appeal to Perfect Mercy without fear of Perfect Justice. But what else did she believe that merited a blessing? In fact, this young woman from the French town ofLisieux, who died in 1897, well before her twenty-fifth birth day, and who lived a quiet, sheltered childhood among doting sisters and then a quiet, sheltered adolescence as a cloistered Carmelite nun (with some of those very same sisters) that woman, after Abra ham and Mary,30 is perhaps the Churchsgreatest example of the faith that hopes against hope. Thus, St. Therese truly merits both blessings of Elizabeth: Blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled and Blessed are you among women of course, wed have to add, after Mary. Michael Browner Dont worry. 'ilni :l> ' It:.'! Talk to you later. With those words, the dots immediately connected. Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Then, beginning tomorrow, well spend one foil week in an Advent-like time of hope-filled darkness before reviewing everything weve learned and then actually' making the Offering. Now, I mentioned earlier that the book True Devotion to Mary had changed my life and given me hope in college because it claimed to offer the quickest and easiest way to become a saint. Before we get to that, heres something that may be even more shocking: As St. Therese was dying, because she believed what she taught, because she believed that she would be a great saint, she herself collected the clippings of her nails and invited her sister Pauline (Mother Agnes) to take them, presumably to 58 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE be used as relics!67 Also, she encouraged the other sisters to keep the rose petals that had touched her crucifix, saying, They will help you perform favors later on; dont lose one of them.68 What? 179 Story ofa Soul, p. 181. I felt I had found what I was looking for. As St. Therese put it, describing her own day of consecration, Alt! All rights reserved. Its the Good News that Gods ways are not our ways, that God isnt attracted to our gifts, virtues, and talents, but rather, to our weakness, brokenness, and sin. Yet hardly anyone has ever even heard of her Offering to Merciful Love! Francis P. Havey - Book for Priests, 251 pp. Maximilian Kolbe, OFM Conv., cd. We dont have to be perfect to go to him. Let me explain. God then directed his gaze to the multitude of stars in the sky and promised him, So shall your descendants be (Gen 15:5). This is the temptation of Jansenist fear, but theres no need to be afraid. Well, die way to relieve his heartache is by receiving his mercy. In other words, your heart will become more like Christs. Listen to what Therese herself said to one of her novices who often failed in the practice of virtue: And if die good God wants you weak and helpless like a child do you believe that you will have less merit? But before we begin, let me first connect the various dots that have come up as Ive introduced you to my three friends. Thank God that she discovered a way of spiritual victimhood that not only allows even little souls to be generous but also sets them on fire with love. There are several other passages like this from the Diary of St. Faustina (see 635, 848,965,1160,1588,1146). In sum, through the Offering, we console Jesus by letting him love us. I desire that these souls distin guish themselves by boundless trust in My mercy. Yet hes silently nursing at my breast? (Unless otherwise indicated, as in this case, all emphasis in citations is original.) 115 Story of a Soul, p. 195. Lets visit this humble nun and listen to her advice, as one of her own religious sisters once did: On the initial day of the retreat, I was visited by one of the sisters who had come to make her perpetual vow s. She confided to me that she had no trust in God and became discouraged at WEEK ONE: What Is Trust? 181. And so, I firmly intend to fight discouragement, do little things with great love, and be merciful to my neighbor in deed, word, and prayer. 214 Sharing Gods mercy with others is a key to living the Family Offering to Mercifiil Love. We must strive to show mercy. And because of this blindness to their own sins, such people, even more than others, hear about Therese and say, I dont get her. Now, regarding this latter, more serious kind of darkness, die blindness to ones sins, well cover it tomorrow. I myself will attend to the sanctification of such souls. So dont believe the voices of the world that say, Youre not important! God is so good. Mary was full of praise because of the great things God had done for her. For that, Im only giving you two options: Thereses actual text or the Prayer of Consecration to Merciful Love.178 (Of course, you can certainly pray both.) Naturally, notes of tolerance and 'Suleh-e-kul' (equal respect and peace for . We are not. On the first night of the journey, before even reaching the place of her retreat, the vehemence of her love and sorrow broke the ties binding her to earth, and at the same moment the holy man saw her soul carried by angels to Gods 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE 96 bosom. 30 Because St. Josephs heroic faith is so essentially linked to that of Mary, his inclusion is implied in die attention here given to the faith of his spouse. The elevator which must raise me to heaven is Your arms, O Jesus! So, we wont always feel the greatness of God filling our hearts. Finally, it is to he worried about nothing, and not to he set on earning our living. [I prove my love for God] by all the smallest things and doing them through love (Ibid., p. 196). Well, when we say fiat, its the APPENDIX ONE: Living the Offering 163 magic word diat unlocks the gate, and once this gate is unlocked, look out! (428 pages.) Moreover, such holiness is not a human work but, rather, Gods work, a work of Divine Mercy rushing down to the lowest place. She chose mercy, and so, even Gods Justice seemed to her clothed in love." And so, not wanting to be late for class, I took the book. Now, as our father in faith, Abraham is the complete opposite of our mother in doubt: Eve. Also, die image itself becomes a concrete realization of the invitation. That blessing reveals the innermost reality of Mary, because Marys inner reality was a reality' of faith (or trust). Really, I am far from being a saint, and what I have just said is proof of this; instead of rejoicing, for example, at my aridity, I should attribute it to my little fervor and lack of fidelity; I should be desolate for having slept (for seven years) during my [Holy Hours] and my thanksgivings after Holy Communion; well, I am not desolate. 347-348. (We covered it in the reading for Day 9.) Its Gods being moved to compassion at seeing our suffering (heart) and then taking action to help alleviate it (arms). It was June 9, 1895 Trinity Sunday. I rejoice that they ask for much, because it is My desire to give much, very 184 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE much. I know that without Him, I could have fallen as low as St. Mary Magdalene.46 Thanks be to God, the Lord showed amazing mercy on this littlest of souls by actually preserving her ahead of time from a life of grave sin by removing the obstacles that would have caused her to fall.47 Now, Therese was painfully aware of all the weakness just described and more so dont even try to tell her that shes 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE 50 not a little soul! In this way you will console My Heart.169 The Catch Alright, but if we offer ourselves to Merciful Love, whats the catch? They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and the Image of Divine Mercy is a thousand words of mercy. Okay, well, 33 Days to Morning Glory is a book that prepares us to consecrate our selves to Mary, so she can, in fact, bring us to diat fountain. Do you see him there, all bloody, bruised, and broken? It takes effort. Just remember to count back 33 days from the feast itself, with the day of consecration (the feast day) being the thirty-forth day. She does this through her powerful prayers for us, which are so effective because of the suffering she endured at the foot of the Cross. 170 Diary, 86. John Clarke, OCD, vol 2, 1890-1897. Indeed, her time in the convent truly was a hidden life full of the daily darkness we all experience. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. And so, this vulnerability of God in Christ is part of the poverty of the incarnation (see 2 Cor 8:9) and is a particularly profound aspect of the self-emptying of Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at (Phil 2:6-7). And this is the very definition of mercy, which the parable of the Good Samaritan seems to reveal most clearly: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 27 The Fathers of the Church and numerous popes taught that Mary is the Mediatrix of Grace and several popes have even used the title Mediatrix of All Graces. (For instance, Pope John Paul II used tire latter title seven times during his pontificate.) Then, after these four days of review, well read a synthesis of what weve learned in a singleformula of consecration that aims to capture the essence ofThereses Offering to Merciful Love. 110 Cited in ibid. So God has two problems: (1) He wants us fallen creatures to believe in his Word and to trust in his goodness, but thats something he cant force, because trust, like love, must be given in freedom. 181 Story ofa Soul, p. 165. Ive often pondered these questions, and what follows are three answers that, I hope, will help us live the Offering to Merciful Love with the same generous spirit as the Saint of Lisieux. Well, we need one. 152 For a powerful example of this sentiment, watch the YouTube video of Johnny Cashs rendition of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails. In the whole of this messianic program of Christ, in the whole revelation of mercy through the cross, could mans dignity be more highly respected and ennobled, for, in obtaining mercy, he is in a sense the one who at the same time shows mercy?203 So, whats the word of Christ that does not pass away? This introduction is not part of the 33 days of preparation. Fr. I wish, then, to be clothed in Your own Justice and to receive from Your Love the eternal possession of Yourself. Pages : 202 pages. And why not be joyful? Breathe it in. So, the elevator is the mercy ofJesus. After all, thats what mercy does. In fact, its a beautiful longing of love, a longing that purifies us at every moment and deepens our life of prayer. But don't worry if this is your first group retreat from Hearts Afire and you haven't gone through Stages One and Two you can still do . Therese s teaching on trust, which, as well learn this week, is called the Little Way. This Little Way will bear striking similarities to Abraham 's and Marysfaith, the essence of which is to believe that what is spoken by the Lord will befulfilled. We need Marys help to obtain the gift of faith, that is, the grace to believe. 21 Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, November 21, 1964, 58. 176 Regarding the clause through the hands of Mary Immaculate, see previous endnote. But thats actually where things start to get interesting. add to cart. DAY 1 1 Do Three Things As we learned yesterday, the Litde Way is all about the heart of the Gospel: Divine Mercy. 33 days to merciful love retreat companion pdf. Father Mike, do we have a consecration to Divine Mercy? No. When coming down in this way, God manifests His infinite grandeur.186 Did you catch the revolutionary thinking thats hidden in this passage? That story expresses well how Therese approached the spiritual lite and the path to sanctity in particular. For instance, God had called Abraham (who was then named Abram) from lais home country: Go from your country and 30 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE your kindred and your fathers house to die land that I will show you. But what I mean by the consecration to Divine Mercy Therese-style goes even deeper. 178 For group recitation, I recommend the Prayer of Consecration to Mer ciful Love. Elsewhere in her writings, she makes this point clear: If the good God were to say to me: Ifyou die imme diately, you will obtain great glory; if you die at the age of eighty, your glory will be far less, but it will please me much more, then I would not hesitate to answer: My God, I want to die at eighty for I am not seeking my own glory, but only to please You.123 WEEK THREE: The Offering to Merciful Love 87 Now, having made that clarification, I suggest we go back and reread just the first four paragraphs of the Offering itself, pondering them in our hearts for the remainder of today. I dont have any sins. Now, there are two problems here. You have too much fear before the good God. Alas! Rather, its based on the judgment of Almighty God, who alone is truly great. Its to let him pour out that rejected love into our own sinful but contrite hearts. Gailtley's 33 Days to Morning Glory. Book Notes: 33 Days to Merciful Love. What? What about something that we can easily memorize and pray anytime during a busy day? Shes telling you not to be afraid. I say that because, as we just learned, Mary leads us to Divine Mercy. She fell back on the pillow, her head turned towards the right [S]he pronounced very distinctly her final act of love: Oh! Well, read the following account of her death from Mother Agnes, and realize that St. Therese didnt die of tuberculosis. And when our focus is not on ourselves when were suffering, while it certainly still hurts, we often don't even notice our own pain. Well remember Elizabeths words: Blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled. And I hope that the power contained within [that blessing] will become something penetrating for us. It seems to me that if all creatures had received the same graces I received, God would be feared by none but would be loved to the point of folly; and through love, not through fear, no one would ever consent to cause Him any pain. The word magnificat comes from Marys exclamation in Latin, Magnificat anima mea Dominant, My soul magnifies the Lord. This is Marys song of praise when she went to her cousin Elizabeth after giving her fiat to the Lord (see Lk 1:46-55). In this way you will console My Heart (367). As Christians, our hearts are supposed to be merciful. Also, you might want to peek ahead to the second section of tomor rows reading, Before Consecration. (Dont worry. Shes saying, I do not regret having offered myself to Love and neither will you! So get ready. The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is trust. She knows that all our justice, that is, all our own efforts, are stained in Gods eyes. Three in a row! Then, well use the last day to prepare ourselves to make the Offering to Merciful Love as a Divine Mercy consecration. In other words, it takes place dirough the darkness of liturgical worship, a worship that points to and makes manifest die divine worship of heaven through the poverty of signs and symbols wrought by human hands. In one sense, I think she means that she wants God himself to love in and through her with his own love, which is perfect. 77 Saint Louis de Montfort also taught that God would raise up in our time, from among the weak and broken, great saints, who shall surpass most of the other saints. See 33 Days to Morning Glory, pp. Agree to stumble at every step therefore, even to fall, to carry your cross weakly, to love your helpless ness. Blessing Recall that, according to St. John Paul II, a kind of'key' unlocks for us the innermost reality of Mary. That key is the blessing of Elizabeth at the Annunciation: Blessed is she who believed that w hat was spoken to her by the Lord w'ould be fulfilled (Lk 1:45). She remembers the experience as folloyvs: What [the priest] told us was frightening. Its exactly what we need, namely, his mercy entering into our emptiness. 39 fulfilled. And what was Marys immediate response? By means of this Image, I shall be granting many graces to souls; so let every soul have access to it (570). Amazon. And when we dont fully believe that God is good, then we dont fully trust in him and thats a problem. I have always noticed that when I compared myself to the saints, there is between them and me the same difference that exists between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and the obscure grain of sand trampled underfoot by passers-by. 63 Ibid., p. 113. Theyre not essential to the consecration. On the contrary, she saw humility as being what smacks magnanimitys horses in the rear, sending them racing to the moon! I also say that because St. Faustina herself prefaces the above citation by saying, I often attend upon the dying and through entreaties obtain for them trust in 190 33 DAYS TO MERCIFUL LOVE God's mercy, and I implore God for an abundance of divine grace, which is always victorious. 128 Saint John of the Cross, The Lirin# Flame of Love, commentary on stanza 1, line 6 (cited in Gaucher, p. 221). So, once again, do you want to help save the world? A little earlier I believe it would have plunged me into a state of discouragement.161 Okay, but what, specifically, was this trial that the Lord sent to Therese? Rather, the various weeks vcdll focus on one saint: Therese of Lisieux and her spiritual teaching. I thanked Mark and hung up the phone. And when our focus is not on ourselves when were suffering, although our pain is certainly real, we often dont even notice it. Available from: Marian Helpers Center Stockbridge, MA 01263 Prayerline: 1-800-804-3823 marian.org Orderline: 1-800-462-7426 shopmcrcy.org IMPRIMI POTEST: Very Rev. On the other hand, I am sad when souls ask for little, when they narrow their hearts (1577 1578). O my God! In fact, it was the unfathomable suffering of her motherly Heart at Calvary that makes her Heart an instrument of grace, a Mediatrix of grace.28 And its her suffering, more than that of any other creature, that makes up for what is lacking in the suffering of Christ. Help us to be grateful for Gods mercy with your own joyfulness of heart at the Visitation. In fact, in die very Gospel that records Jesus saying, I thirst from the Cross, on the very night he entered into his Passion, Jesus says to us, No longer do I call you slaves but I have called you friends (Jn 15:15). Never before had I prayed with such inner power as I did then (474). 103 Cited in The Power of Confidence, p. 344. After the angel departs, Mary goes in haste to visit her cousin, St. Elizabeth (the Visitation), and when Elizabeth hears Marys greeting, the child in her womb leaps for joy. And the Father especially hears and answers such a perfect and moving prayer. So, behold, O Lord, I come here to console you, even as you are about to die. This humble confidence consoles Jesus right at the moment he breathes his last. Blessed is she who believed in the impossible. Yes, I know it may seem that Gods love would destroy us. Thats largely because of a popular and terribly rigorist book on Carmelite spiritualin- called The Treasure of Carmel. Francis choice of poverty affected rhe way his conscience judged him. Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Endnotes 179 38 Cited in ibid., p. 54. On the same page, Foley goes into further detail about Zelies excessive fear and what it was like for her, growing up in a home that was dominated by a certain atmosphere of austerity, constraint and scrupulosity. 34 Full quote: She becomes emotional very easily. When he was once criticized for doing too much, he responded, "If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it all.". They simply need to try sincerely to turn away from sin, invite the Lord into their home, and receive and share his Merciful Love. Now; at this point, many of us may be enthusiastically agreeing, Thats right! What does she show us about believing in God? Its no human work. Now realize this: Each inhale can be a spiritual communion. (198 pages.) Todays Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. How We Can Console Jesus Saint Therese frequently wrote about her desire to console Jesus, and as we learned on Day 20, that was her main motivation in making the Offering to Merciful Love. Infinite tenderness. Holy Face ofJesus by Sr. Genevieve of the Holy Face Office Central de Lisieux Photographs of St. Therese of Lisieux Office Central de Lisieux Printed in the United States of America To the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy May we trust in Jesus even more. Then, three months later, she appeared to St. Therese in a dream. Before we go further into diose three moments of breathing, let me say something about three words from Scripture. (See also The Power of Confidence, p. And by that, I certainly dont mean its easy to avoid because its easy to go to hell! And as Aristode righdy pointed out long ago, true friendship requires a kind of equality and mutuality it cant be one-sided.206 So, let me ask you: Have you ever had a friendship where you shared with your friend but he or she never shared with you? Through the Offering, we console Jesus by letting him help us to afraid. It tomorrow 'you did it to me ': a Practical Guide to mercy in Action [ book. 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