Consider the Apostles before they came to understand the meaning of the Resurrection. They fell into some serious sin. For example, in his disbelief, Peter denied Christ three times, and all the other Apostles, except John, abandoned Him. However, after the Apostles saw the empty tomb, after they encountered the Risen Christ, everything changed. Their abandonment of Christ did not end up defining their relationship with Him. Instead, their belief in His Resurrection gave them the impetus to tell the whole world about their love for Him on account of His victory over sin and death.
Though we won’t encounter Christ in the same way as the Apostles, when we do encounter Him, however we encounter Him, our lives will never be the same. And the words we have been hearing Him tell us our whole lives, without fully believing or understanding, will finally all start to make sense. For those yet to encounter Him, we must pray as St. Faustina did, “O my God, how I pity those people who do not believe in eternal life; how I pray for them that a ray of mercy would envelop them too, and that God would clasp them to His fatherly bosom” (780).
Indeed, that’s what the Resurrection is all about. The way, the truth, and the life rising from the tomb and pouring out upon us the unfathomable mercy of God, leading us to that final encounter, Heaven, where we’ll rest forever in the Father’s loving arms.
Here are a few of the most powerful prophetic inspirations St. Faustina heard the Lord speak to her that she recorded in her Diary:I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory. (48) The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death. (754)Through this chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will. (1731)
So, when you’re troubled and in need of inspiration, remember our Lord’s promises to St. Faustina. Consider all the times St. Faustina’s prophecies have already come true. Remember all the graces that have already been poured out upon the world through the message of Divine Mercy, and take advantage of those graces yourself.
Ninth Day:
Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: ‘Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.’ For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.
Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.