“My child, know that the greatest obstacles to holiness are discouragement and an exaggerated anxiety. These will deprive you of the ability to practice virtue” St. Faustina’s Diary:1488.
How did you managed yesterday with tending to Jesus’ wounds in others? Did you ever gave it a thought or a try? Or were you just scared that your actions might be misinterpreted?
Spoke with one of my traveling companions yesterday who though confessed that it was hard but never did because of previous experiences, while one just replied with a “hmmmm!” and I got the message.
Fear, discouragement and/or misinterpretations are part of a whole scheme that prevents us from truly yielding to the invitation of Jesus to be more like him. I know a vast majority have got burnt in the process. This account for the reason why I said last week in “putting bread on the table” that you should put it in the hands of Jesus for it is his work and not yours, and he knows exactly what he wants to do. We are bound to get discouraged and fail especially when we venture alone.
“The cause of your falls is that you rely too much upon yourself and too little on me. But let this not sadden you so much. You are dealing with the God of mercy (1488). Know that of yourself you can do nothing (639). Without special help from Me, you are not even capable of accepting My graces (738)” – St. Faustina’s diary.
By the way don’t you know that the misinterpretations and the burns are all indicators of our actual yielding to Jesus’ invitation? Jesus says in Jn. 15:20 “remember what I told you, a servant is not greater than his master; if they persecuted me, they will persecute you, too.”
So do not be afraid of the burns and misinterpretations that gives you so much pain and discomfort as long as you are doing it for Jesus and not for personal fame. Just unite them with the cross of Jesus and offer them up as your own little sacrifice for your sins.
“Do not be afraid of sufferings; I am with you (151). The more you will come to love suffering, the purer your love for Me will be (279) – St. Faustina’s Dairy.
Just repeat yesterday’s task: say a kind word to anyone and everyone you meet today. No hurtful words should cross your lips as well. Give a warm welcoming smile to every difficult and hurtful situations. And give somebody a decent meal today as well.
My most sweet and adorable Jesus, this still remains a very difficult and uncomfortable task for it needs real courage and self sacrifice. I don’t want to run away anymore so please Lord, come and act in me; and give me the enabling strength to unite my burns with that of your holy cross. Amen.
Pray with St. Pio’s “Stay with me, Lord.” Prayerfully meditate on the 28th chapter of the book of the prophet Jeremiah.
SHEPHERD ME O LORD, BEYOND MY STRENGTH.
By Fr. Charles Emore