“Pray to my Son…”
(c)Mateo Ivankovic 2016 J.M.J. June 7, 2017 Dear Family of Mary! “Pray to my Son, and the love which you experience from His nearness will give you the strength to make you ready for the works of love which you will do in His name…” (June 2, 2017) St. Faustina spent hours in prayer, always focused on Jesus, her Spouse. He was very near her, sometimes speaking to her, sometimes showing Himself to her. She had many mystical experiences. But this did not make her life easy. She was misunderstood in her convent, and often her confessors would not recognize what God was doing in her. She was also very sick. But she stayed faithful to her call to spread Divine Mercy, and she never gave up. Here is an entry from her diary in which she describes the effect of Jesus’ nearness, His love for her: Love is a mystery that transforms everything it touches into things beautiful and pleasing to God. The love of God makes a soul free. She is like a queen; she knows no slavish compulsion; she sets about everything with great freedom of soul, because the love which dwells in her incites her to action. Everything that surrounds her makes her know that only God Himself is worthy of her love. A soul in love with God and immersed in Him approaches her duties with the same dispositions as she does Holy Communion and carries out the simplest tasks with great care, under the loving gaze of God. She is not troubled if, after some time, something turns out to be less successful. She remains calm, because at the time of the action she had done what was in her power. When it happens that the living presence of God, which she enjoys almost constantly, leaves her, she then tries to continue living in lively faith. Her soul understands that there are periods of rest and periods of battle. Through her will, she is always with God. Her soul, like a knight, is well trained in battle; from afar it sees where the foe is hiding and is ready for battle. She knows she is not alone – God is her strength. (890 Diary of St. Faustina) We see that the fruit of St. Faustina’s prayer to Jesus was an influx of strength! Our Lady wants us to have that same inner strength. She is calling us to spend as much time in prayer as we can, so that through Jesus’ nearness we can become strong in His service! In these days, it is very important that we stay strong and resolute! To do this we must pray. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan © Mary TV 2017