Daily Meditation| Daily Quote by S. Padre Pio| Divine Mercy Reflection
Daily Meditation
Living Witness:
Prayer, silence, the Eucharist, liturgy, the needs of the world, and a sense of sharing in the Church's mission are essential elements in religious renewal and spiritual growth. All religious men and women are to be living witnesses of God's love.
Quote by S. Padre Pio:
We are now in a land of exile, while our true homeland is heaven, to which we must continually aspire.
Divine Mercy
Reflections on Notebook One: 11-111
This first notebook of Saint Faustina begins her private revelations given from the Heart of Jesus to her. She writes in a beautiful and simple way. Though, as mentioned in the introduction to this book, her actual words are not quoted in these reflections that follow, the messages that she received and articulated are presented.
In truth, her messages are those contained in Sacred Scripture and in the Tradition of our Church. And if you were to read through the lives and teachings of the saints, you would find the same revelations. God has always spoken to us throughout the ages. He speaks the one Message of Truth, and He reveals that Message in love. The revelations to Saint Faustina are one new way that God continues to speak and reveal Himself to us, His sons and daughters.
The reflections in this first chapter, based on the first notebook, are intentionally short and focused. They are a way for you, the reader, to slowly and carefully listen to the Heart of God spoken to this great saint. Read these reflections slowly and prayerfully. Ponder them throughout the day and allow the Lord to speak to You the message He wants to give.
Reflection 99: The Scourge of Sin
Why was it that Jesus suffered as He did? Why did He receive such a severe scourging? Why was His death so painful? Because sin has consequences and is the source of great pain. But Jesus’ voluntary and sinless embrace of suffering transformed human suffering so that it now has the power to purge us and free us from sin and all attachment to sin (See Diary #445).
Do you realize that the extreme pain and suffering Jesus went through was on account of your own sin? It’s important to acknowledge that humbling fact. It’s important to see a direct connection between His suffering and your sin. But this should not be a cause of guilt or shame, it should be a cause of gratitude. Deep humility and gratitude.
Lord, I thank You for all that You endured in Your holy Passion. I thank You for Your suffering and Cross. I thank You for redeeming suffering and transforming it into a source of salvation. Help me to allow the sufferings I endure to change my life and purge me of my sin. I unite my sufferings to Yours, dear Lord, and pray that You will use it for Your glory. Jesus, I trust in You.