St. Joe's Consecration Day 35 - Divine Mercy

St. Joseph taught Jesus he was good without having to do anything (to prove that goodness). Jesus's being drew Joseph's and Mary's awe, contemplation, and love. 

For centuries, God has continued to unfold the delicate intricacies of His love for us (see A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn), from Adam and Eve to the modern saints who have seen and spoke of His Divine Mercy:

• St. Margaret Mary Alocoque and the Sacred Heart (17th century)
• See Consoling the Heart of Jesus by Fr. Michael Gaitley
• St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart (18th century)
• St Therese of Lisieux and the Little Way (19th century)
• St. Faustina and her Diary Divine Mercy (20th century)

Take a break from your busy life where you're either running away from your weakness by pretending to be in control or running away from your weakness by trying to prove your worth. Listen to Jesus tell you that He is strong in your weakness, that He loves you in your weakness, to stop running away from your weakness. 

Let's stop this rumination for a moment and listen for His song.

The Concert of Angels by Gaudenzio Ferrari

Do you typically avoid your weakness by pretending you are in control? Or feeling that you need to earn the sense of having worth before God? 

Depending on the day or situation, it can be some of either mechanism of avoiding and acknowledging my weakness.

If the former how can you submit yourself in one way today to the reality that you do not have the control you would like?

• Send a message to the leaders of my Trinity small group and be honest about missing the last session.
• Send a message to my spiritual director and be honest about missing his prior call.

If the latter, how can you submit yourself in one way today to the reality God's love is bigger than your imperfection?

• Fast but also be open to receive any gifts God gives me.
• Reframe any negative self-talk with gentle appreciation in gratitude for God's love and mercy.
• Visit a beautiful church or seek God in adoration in a small chapel.