Dec. 16,  2023

DIVINE MERCY REFLECTION: The Riches Of The World... Or God? 

Source: https://mycatholic.life/

It’s interesting how often we desire earthly possessions.  Even if you had every treasure in the world all to yourself, this could not fill the longing in your heart.  There is one thing and one thing alone that fills the void within you and that is the Lord and His holy Will.  Nothing else suffices, yet we often work so hard at gaining more and more of the things that pass away (See Diary #1632).

Spend time today imagining that you obtained a superabundance of wealth.  What would this do to your life?  Would it make you happy?  Perhaps it would be fun, interesting, exciting, and entertaining…at least for a while.  But the truth is that nothing can fill the void in your heart except God.  Yes, there is a void that needs to be filled.  You feel it and are always seeking to fill it.  Do so with God and His Mercy.  You will find that what you have desired all along is free for the receiving.

"Lord, You are my riches and wealth.  You must become all that I desire in life.  Give me the grace to believe this truth and to choose You as the fulfillment of all my longings.  I love You, dear Lord.  Help me to love You more.  Jesus, I trust in You."

Dec. 15, 2023

DIVINE MERCY REFLECTION: Losing Your Peace Of Heart

Source: https://mycatholic.life/

What is it that has the power to steal away the peace and calm of your heart?  What if you were insulted, ridiculed, falsely judged, imprisoned, beaten or even killed?  Would any of these rob the peace of God in your heart?  Only if you let it.  It is essential that you know and believe with firm faith that nothing can steal the peace of your heart unless you let it.  Your goal must be to be free from everything in this world.  You must be detached from all riches, honors, respect, fear and everything.  If you are fully detached then you are free to be fully attached to Christ and no matter what comes your way, no matter what happens to you, your single attachment to our Lord and His Will, can never be taken away from you unless you let it (See Diary #1685).

Reflect upon the things that have taken away your peace in the past.  Identifying these will help you realize what it is that you are attached to in an unhealthy way.  If, for example, public ridicule has stolen your peace, then you are too attached to your reputation.  If poverty has left you depressed, then you are too attached to money.  If the rejection of a friend or family member has turned you to anger, then you were too attached to this person.  This list could go on and on.  Though the spiritual goal of total detachment may be very hard to understand and even harder to accept, do not dismiss it too quickly.  Reflect upon attachments you have, even to apparent good things.  Realize that if the one attachment you have is to God, all good things will follow.

"Lord, I choose You and Your Will as my one possession in life.  All else is passing and all else can be lost in an instant.  But You, oh Lord, are eternal and You can never be taken away if I choose You.  I love You, dear Lord, help me to remain firmly attached to You and Your Will.  Jesus, I trust in You."