Wednesday’s Divine Mercy Moment:

Today was an O’ so special day of grace for me!

And recognizing that God’s grace is something which we receive that we do not deserve, I am humbly grateful. Today I completed my Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary (Marian consecration) following  Fr. Michael E. Gaitley’s guidelines in 33 Days to Morning Glory.   A true gift for me and an added blessing to have done so on this, the Feast Day in our Catholic Church of The Annunciation.

For the past 48 hours I have felt like a gushing bride waiting in the back of the church  for that magical moment when it is time to walk down the aisle toward her beloved groom who is waiting for her.

Today Jesus was my groom who waited lovingly for me.

And I was reminded of similar grace-filled moments…when, at the time of each of our three children’s baptisms,  I asked for Mary’s  assistance by offering them to her under the protection of her mantle of care. Always knowing & believing that where-ever I may fail them as their earthly mother She would intercede on my behalf to completely unite their hearts to her Son.  Hearts that he thirsts for. Hearts that He waits to call His very own.  But today…He waited for me, as I offered my life consecrated to Him through the hands of His Mother. To say I am still swooning is an understatement!  Surrounded by my spiritual director, who presided over my consecration, and joined by my cuppy-cake & my third child as witnesses, it was for me a perfect moment.     As I slowly drift toward the end of this beautiful day I am in awe of the grace and mercy which our Heavenly Father pours out upon us.  Grace and mercy are not the same thing, although they both come from God. Grace is what we receive that we do not deserve while mercy is what we do not get that we do deserve. He gives the one (grace) and withholds the other (mercy) and that is why we are so fortunate to give thanks to God for His goodness…because God is never outdone in generosity!

The words, as written by Blessed Mother Teresa to the Sisters of Charity,  seem to be the most appropriate summation of my experience of being Consecrated to Christ.  Written on March 25, 1993, exactly 22 years ago from today, may they still be a reminder for us all just how much He thirsts for souls to be consecrated to Him.

Hugs n’ Blessings!

 “After reading Holy Father’s letter on “I Thirst,” I was struck so much – I cannot tell you what I felt.  His letter made me realize more than ever how beautiful is our vocation…We are reminding the world of His thirst, something that was being forgotten…Holy Father’s letter is a sign…to go more into what is this great thirst of Jesus for each one.

…the time has come for me to speak openly…to explain as fully as I can what means for me the thirst of Jesus… Jesus wants me to tell you again…how much love He has for each one of you – beyond all you can imagine.  I worry some of you still have not really met Jesus – one to one- you and Jesus alone.  We may spend time in chapel – but have you seen with the eyes of your soul how He looks at you with love?  Do you really know the living Jesus – not from books but from being with Him in your heart?  Have you heard the loving words He speaks to you?  Ask for the grace, He is longing to give it.  Until you can hear Jesus in the silence of your own heart, you will not be able to hear Him saying “I thirst” in the hearts of the poor.

Never give up this daily intimate contact with Jesus as the real living person – not just the idea.  How can we last even one day without hearing Jesus say “I love you” – impossible.  Our soul needs that as much as the body needs to breathe the air.  If not, prayer is dead – meditation only thinking.  Jesus wants you each to hear Him – speaking in the silence of your heart.

Be careful of all that can block that personal contact with the living Jesus.  The Devil may try to use the hurts of life, and sometimes our own mistakes – to make you feel it is impossible that Jesus really loves you, is really cleaving to you.  This is a danger for all of us.  And so sad, because it is completely opposite of what Jesus is really wanting, waiting to tell you.  Not only that He loves you, but even more – He longs for you.  He misses you when you don’t come close.  He thirsts for you.  He loves you always, even when you don’t feel worthy.  When not accepted by others, even by yourself sometimes – He is the one who always accepts you.  My children,  you don’t have to be different for Jesus to love you.  Only believe- you are precious to Him.  

…Do you believe it?  If so, you will hear, you will feel His presence.  Let it become as intimate for each of you, just as for Mother…- but Jesus Himself must be the one to say to you “I Thirst.”  Hear your own name.  Not just once.  Every day.  If you listen with your heart, you will hear, you will understand.

Why does Jesus say “I Thirst”?  What does it mean?  Something so hard to explain in words – if you remember anything from Mother’s letter, remember this – “I Thirst” is something much deeper than Jesus just saying “I love you.”  Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you – you can’t begin to know who He wants to be for you.  Or who He wants you to be for Him.

…Our Lady was the first person to hear Jesus’ cry “I Thirst” with St. John, and I am sure Mary Magdalen.  Because Our Lady was there on Calvary, she knows how real, how deep is His longing for you and for the poor.  Do we know?  Do we feel as she?  Ask her to teach…Her role is to bring you face to face, as John and Magdalen, with the love in the Heart of Jesus crucified.  …listen to Jesus’ thirst.  Let it be for each…a Word of Life.

How do you approach the thirst of Jesus?  Only one secret – the closer you come to Jesus, the better you will know His thirst.  …What are we to believe?  Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor – He knows your weakness, He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.  He is not bound by time.  …Hear your own name.” – Blessed Mother Teresa