divine mercy – Page 6 – hugsnblessings

knot a problem…anymore.

Published on October 4, 2015October 4, 2015 by Dawn Marie1 Comment

I’m still suffering from a Pope-Hangover.

For five days we immersed ourselves in all things “Papa” and “Faith.”

But now life is glossed-over. A clear-film of joy covers over each day.

And I feel this is a very good thing!

I am enjoying this somewhat detached manner of living from the chaos the world often has to offer. The problems in my life are still present, yet somehow they are no longer problems; but rather simply…difficulties. And those are much more manageable, don’t you think?

This transition from problem to difficulty came through my visit to the Mary, Undoer of Knots Grotto established for Pope Francis’ participation in The World Meeting of Families. (Be sure to see the Pope’s visit to this lovely Groto on his final travels through the streets of Philadelphia on their web-site!)

A wonderful tribute, not only to this beautiful devotion to the Blessed Mother, Mary who was the undoer of the sin of Eve;

“Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; whereas Mary, by her obedience, undid it.”

but also to bring awareness to hunger & homelessness in America.

But what are these knots? They are the problems and struggles we face for which we do not see any solution. Throughout time and across all cultures, a knot has been used to symbolize tension and struggle. The undoing of a knot symbolizes freedom from these burdens – a release of pressure. In the tradition of Mary, Undoer of Knots, Pope Francis’ favorite artwork, visitors of the grotto were able to add or remove knots, symbolizing their personal struggles and sharing the burdens of others.

And I know from the power of prayer & personal experience, many pilgrims returned home with knot as many problems…anymore.

Leaving prayer intentions to be placed into the hands of Mary.

Pope Francis does have a special devotion to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots. While studying in Germany in the 1980s, he discovered this devotion at the Church of St. Peter am Perlach in Augsburg.

My own Mary, Undoer of Knots which hangs in my sewing-corner.

“Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots. Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of His children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the Evil One himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands, there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with your Son and my liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot. (Mention your petition here.)

I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and, with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, O safe refuge.”

hugs n’ blessings to all who trust their knots to be undone.

Do you remember?

Published on September 22, 2015September 22, 2015 by Dawn Marie2 Comments

A wise Irish Man once asked us: “Do you remember, the 21st of September?”

“Yes, we do!”

And there have been indelible marks left behind as the clock changes to 22 September.

Like wine stains on your favorite table-covering that can never be removed, some memories remain forever.

There will be several 21st(s) of September I will always remember.

I will definately add this years’ to the list (along with the others!)

Yesterday Pope Francis delivered one such indelible moment as I listened to the live coverage of his homily message to the thousands gathered in Revolutionary Plaza in Cuba.

I pray a word or two leave an indelible mark on your heart as well.

Pope Francis told the crowds on 21 September 15:

“On a day like any other, as Matthew, the tax collector, was seated at his table, Jesus passed by, saw him, came up to him and said: “Follow me”. Matthew got up and followed him.

Jesus looked at him. How strong was the love in that look of Jesus, which moved Matthew to do what he did! What power must have been in his eyes to make Matthew get up from his table! We know that Matthew was a publican: he collected taxes from the Jews to give to the Romans. Publicans were looked down upon and considered sinners; as such, they lived apart and were despised by others. One could hardly eat, speak or pray with the likes of these. For the people, they were traitors: they extorted from their own to give to others. Publicans belonged to this social class.

Jesus, on the other hand, stopped; he did not quickly take his distance. He looked at Matthew calmly, peacefully. He looked at him with eyes of mercy; he looked at him as no one had ever looked at him before. And this look unlocked Matthew’s heart; it set him free, it healed him, it gave him hope, a new life, as it did to Zacchaeus, to Bartimaeus, to Mary Magdalene, to Peter, and to each of us. Even if we do not dare raise our eyes to the Lord, he looks at us first. This is our story, and it is like that of so many others. Each of us can say: “I, too, am a sinner, whom Jesus has looked upon”. I ask you, in your homes or in the Church, to be still for a moment and to recall with gratitude and happiness those situations, that moment, when the merciful gaze of God was felt in our lives.

Jesus’ love goes before us, his look anticipates our needs. He can see beyond appearances, beyond sin, beyond failures and unworthiness. He sees beyond our rank in society. He sees beyond this, to our dignity as sons and daughters, a dignity at times sullied by sin, but one which endures in the depth of our soul. He came precisely to seek out all those who feel unworthy of God, unworthy of others. Let us allow Jesus to look at us. Let us allow his gaze to run over our streets. Let us allow that look to become our joy, our hope.

After the Lord looked upon him with mercy, he said to Matthew: “Follow me.” Matthew got up and followed him. After the look, a word. After love, the mission. Matthew is no longer the same; he is changed inside. The encounter with Jesus and his loving mercy has transformed him. He leaves behind his table, his money, his exclusion. Before, he had sat waiting to collect his taxes, to take from others; now, with Jesus he must get up and give, give himself to others. Jesus looks at him and Matthew encounters the joy of service. For Matthew and for all who have felt the gaze of Jesus, other people are no longer to be “lived off”, used and abused. The gaze of Jesus gives rise to missionary activity, service, self-giving. Jesus’ love heals our short-sightedness and pushes us to look beyond, not to be satisfied with appearances or with what is politically correct.”

Jesus looks at Matthew with Love and Mercy. Everyone wants to be noticed. Children are forever saying to their parents ‘Look at me, Look at me.” One of the most painful crosses are those who feel invisible. No one seems to notice or look at them.

Jesus looks at us. Jesus looks into our eyes. In the Gospel today, Jesus stops and looks at a man who everyone considered an outcast. Jesus simply looks at him with Love, and Matthew followed him.

Jesus is looking at you today with eyes full of love and mercy.“

And so I ask: “Will you remember?”

these hugs n’ blessings are for that holy moment when you realize God is looking at you.

hide me to seek thee.

Published on September 2, 2015September 2, 2015 by Dawn Marie5 Comments

It’s another Wednesday for Saint Maria Faustina KoWalska (what else,)

with a brief reflection on the Divine Mercy of God:

Some people like “all things” Disney and others Wally-World!

However, I am a huge fan of The Divine Mercy of God!

Going to Krakow, Poland or The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts would be like going to Catholic Disney Land for me!!

I am so happily-in-love with the gift God gives to each of us through His Divine Mercy, that there is an entire Page dedicated to this on my blogitty-blog site; which you may easily find at the topside tucked nicely under a hug!

In a previous post, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, I began sharing my personal reflections on the experiences I encountered reading St. Faustina’s Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul. I hope you’ll jump, hop, or skip through this Page of collected Posts to find something that may resonate in your own heart! But for now…here’s my newest reflection I’ve been pondering.

This pitty-pat-ponder comes welcomingly into my soul straight from Faustina’s Monthly Examen!

St. Faustina did many things in love for Jesus; but none so more than to dedicate her whole life to spreading the teachings & devotion of The Divine Mercy of God.

Just as anyone who may be training to strengthen themselves physically, Saint Faustina exercised spiritually! There were two ‘practices’ or ‘exercises’ she relied upon to help strengthen her to carry out this dedication. The first was a Monthly Examen of The Conscience; where she used an Exclamatory Prayer to internally control the soul, so as to be united with the merciful Christ.

“J.M.J. ~ Jesus, I trust in You. ~ Chart of internal Control of the Soul, Particular examen – to be united with the merciful Christ. Practice: inner silence, strict observance of silence.

The Conscience (Exclamatory Prayer)

January: But God remained silent. February: Jesus, I trust in You. March: Jesus, enkindle my heart with love. April: With God I can do all things. May: In His Name is my strength. June: All for Jesus. July: Jesus, rest in my heart. August: Jesus, You know. September: Jesus, hide me in Your Heart. October: Mary, unite me with Jesus. November: O my Jesus, have mercy! December: Hail, Living Host!” ~St. Faustina’s diary, entry 162 (77)