The strength to suffer

"[A particularly intense time of suffering] was an occasion for me to unite myself with Jesus, suffering on the Cross. Beyond that, I was unable to pray" (St. Faustina, 696).

Lord, I am so weak. I tend to run from suffering when it comes my way. But You know my weakness, and You love me anyway. Give me the strength to suffer with You what I must. (Meditation by Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC)

Gratitude

"I saw Jesus riding on a donkey's foal, and the disciples and a great multitude with branches in their hands joyfully accompanying the Lord Jesus. Some strewed them before His feet where He was riding, while others raised their branches in the air, leaping and jumping before the Lord and not knowing what to do for joy. ... But Jesus was very grave, and the Lord gave me to know how much He was suffering at the time. And at that moment, I saw nothing but only Jesus, whose Heart was saturated with ingratitude" (St. Faustina, 642).

Dearest Jesus, my heart is heavy also. I know that in just a few days You will enter into Your agony. And, even now, You are burdened by the ingratitude and lack of trust of others. But here I am with You, walking somberly beside You, as You ride into the holy city. May my presence here alongside You bring a smile to Your eyes and joy to Your heart, even if only a little. (Meditation by Fr. Jim McCormack, MIC)

The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny lives under the shed in our back yard. He made an appearance today. Maybe I shouldn't have told Francesca and Teresa this particular one might be him. "Mommy, but how does he make the eggs? Does he come inside the house to fill the jar with jellybeans? I thought the Easter Bunny was BIG." Well, this fat rabbit here is big, but just by normal bunny standards. As for getting inside the house, well, that's magic. "Magic?" Frankie frowned. That explanation won't fly for too much longer, I can tell.

 

The Passion

Look into My Heart and see there the love and mercy which I have for humankind, and especially for sinners. Look, and enter into My Passion (Christ to St. Faustina, 1663).

My sins weigh heavily on my heart when I think of what I did in ignorance. I feel shame when I look upon an image of Your love poured forth for ungrateful humanity. How could I ever so completely reject Your love for me again? (Meditation by Fr. Daniel Cambra, MIC)

Jesus's consolation

My daughter, know that your ardent love and the compassion you have for Me were a consolation to Me in the Garden [of Olives] (Christ to St. Faustina, 1664).

How is it, Lord, that I should matter so much to You? How could I be worth so much to You? When will I matter so much to myself? (Meditation by Fr. Daniel Cambra, MIC)

Telling Him everything

Tell me all, My child, hide nothing from Me, because My loving Heart, the Heart of your Best Friend, is listening to you (Christ to St. Faustina, 1486).

Jesus, I trust in You as my Best Friend. You alone do not disappoint me. You do not laugh at my sorrows and worries, which are often trifles. You do not ridicule me, even when I am foolish. How could I live without You? How could I live without Your love in my life? (Meditation by Fr. Daniel Cambra, MIC)

Source of our happiness

"My Jesus, You suffice me for everything else in the world. Although the sufferings are severe, You sustain me. Although the times of loneliness are terrible, You make them sweet for me. Although the weakness is great, You change it into power for me" (St. Faustina, 1655).

Help me, Lord, to fully rely on You, the source of every good. Transform me into Your Love. (Meditation by Fr. Daniel Cambra, MIC)