Saturday, June 27th brought many positive additions to the Humble Servants of Divine Mercy Ministry. Among those were:
Convalescent Committee-visit residents of surrounding retirement communities
Year of Priest Committee- In accordance to the wishes of our Supreme Pontiff, this group will be ensuring that our parish staff is not forgotten by creating spiritual bouquets, daily prayers, First Thursdays indulgence reminders and so much more!
Cenacle of Mercy prayer group-First meeting Tuesday, June 30th in Wildomar
Approx. an hour of prayer and discussion surrounding the wonderful gift of Divine Mercy. Join us for the rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and discussion of excerpts from the Diary of St. Faustina.
Ministry weekend-Don't miss our fabulous grab-bags and coloring contest at this weekend's ministry fair!
Not JUST a devotion, but a way of life! Through prayer and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, we support the parish ministries and community of St. Martha's Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Benedict on Divine Mercy
..........................click image to read about Pope Benedict's book on Divine Mercy
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Works of Mercy challenge No.2
Here it is another beautiful Monday morning and our challenge this week comes to us from the Spriritual Works of Mercy:
-Forgive wrong willingly
-bear wrongs patiently
Easy right? Hardly! If these were so easy, the world would be a much nicer place, agreed?
Let’s roll up our sleeves and re-approach this challenge with open minds. What are we really saying here? How on Earth can we learn to forgive wrongs willingly? This goes against every grain of our humanity. When we are hurt our bodies make a mental note to avoid this situation forever more. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Physical or emotional pain=bad. Bear wrongs patiently? Are you kidding me? Who wants to do that? “Run!” our minds tell us, ”run away from this person and don’t ever look back!”
Now we’re being honest about what makes these two so difficult.
So what makes these Acts of Mercy anyway?
Think about how you feel when you have injured someone and realize you were in the wrong- embarrassment with dread nipping on its heels. If we are fortunate enough to have learned how to sincerely apologize we can still find this process humiliating especially if the other replies with a stinging “You should be!” As we are apologizing we are hoping, maybe even praying, that the other will be merciful and make it easy for us.
Yes, for most of us, apologizing is not something we relish because in doing so we admit to ourselves and others that we were wrong and we’d all rather pretend we’re perfect!
There are ways around apologizing though, aren’t there? Take the sweep it under the rug method for example. This is where the strongest character in a relationship or family usually makes a scene while everyone else is frozen with noticeable discomfort and pretends not to notice. This method does not encourage contrition or absolution.
In fact, you can walk in and feel this method’s its icy grip on a room. You know when everyone is smiling enthusiastically but no one really knows where anyone works, or what anyone’s birthday is. You’ve seen it when you’re in a room where they only see each other at Christmas or Easter but only out of some almost unbearable obligation. Avoidance, rather than forgiveness rules these relationships.
I’m willing to bet that if we each thought for a moment, we could come up with at least one person, probably more, we know that hasn’t talked to a family member for at least a decade because of some reason they probably can’t remember anymore.
What do we gain in clinging white-knuckled to wrongs done us? The superiority complex makes a lonely residence! Anger and hurt are spiritual abysses that are all-consuming. You may be thinking, “I could never forgive them, they hurt me too badly!” However, if you are honest with yourself you’ll realize you CAN’T not forgive because this behavior is contrary to Our Father’s will. Even the Pope John Paul II forgave the man who tried to kill him. Surely we can forgive also!
Here is why we MUST forgive and bear wrongs patiently:
Our Father is not asking us to become best friends with our nemesis, but to honestly, truly, and completely forgive and move on. When we forgive wrong willingly and bear wrongs patiently we are offering the mercy to others that God gives us every time we sin. He is asking that we follow His example.
To offer us Mercy, Our Lord first condescended himself to become human. In addition, His suffering and death offer us countless demonstrations of humility.
Our Lord specifically told St. Faustina to let His mercy flow through us to others :
“I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor:
the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer“(Diary, 742).
Our Father demands that we live His mercy, not just sit back and enjoy it.
-Forgive wrong willingly
-bear wrongs patiently
Easy right? Hardly! If these were so easy, the world would be a much nicer place, agreed?
Let’s roll up our sleeves and re-approach this challenge with open minds. What are we really saying here? How on Earth can we learn to forgive wrongs willingly? This goes against every grain of our humanity. When we are hurt our bodies make a mental note to avoid this situation forever more. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Physical or emotional pain=bad. Bear wrongs patiently? Are you kidding me? Who wants to do that? “Run!” our minds tell us, ”run away from this person and don’t ever look back!”
Now we’re being honest about what makes these two so difficult.
So what makes these Acts of Mercy anyway?
Think about how you feel when you have injured someone and realize you were in the wrong- embarrassment with dread nipping on its heels. If we are fortunate enough to have learned how to sincerely apologize we can still find this process humiliating especially if the other replies with a stinging “You should be!” As we are apologizing we are hoping, maybe even praying, that the other will be merciful and make it easy for us.
Yes, for most of us, apologizing is not something we relish because in doing so we admit to ourselves and others that we were wrong and we’d all rather pretend we’re perfect!
There are ways around apologizing though, aren’t there? Take the sweep it under the rug method for example. This is where the strongest character in a relationship or family usually makes a scene while everyone else is frozen with noticeable discomfort and pretends not to notice. This method does not encourage contrition or absolution.
In fact, you can walk in and feel this method’s its icy grip on a room. You know when everyone is smiling enthusiastically but no one really knows where anyone works, or what anyone’s birthday is. You’ve seen it when you’re in a room where they only see each other at Christmas or Easter but only out of some almost unbearable obligation. Avoidance, rather than forgiveness rules these relationships.
I’m willing to bet that if we each thought for a moment, we could come up with at least one person, probably more, we know that hasn’t talked to a family member for at least a decade because of some reason they probably can’t remember anymore.
What do we gain in clinging white-knuckled to wrongs done us? The superiority complex makes a lonely residence! Anger and hurt are spiritual abysses that are all-consuming. You may be thinking, “I could never forgive them, they hurt me too badly!” However, if you are honest with yourself you’ll realize you CAN’T not forgive because this behavior is contrary to Our Father’s will. Even the Pope John Paul II forgave the man who tried to kill him. Surely we can forgive also!
Here is why we MUST forgive and bear wrongs patiently:
Our Father is not asking us to become best friends with our nemesis, but to honestly, truly, and completely forgive and move on. When we forgive wrong willingly and bear wrongs patiently we are offering the mercy to others that God gives us every time we sin. He is asking that we follow His example.
To offer us Mercy, Our Lord first condescended himself to become human. In addition, His suffering and death offer us countless demonstrations of humility.
Our Lord specifically told St. Faustina to let His mercy flow through us to others :
“I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor:
the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer“(Diary, 742).
Our Father demands that we live His mercy, not just sit back and enjoy it.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Question of the week-God of Justice or Mercy?
How do you explain the message of Divine Mercy to someone who was raised in a strict environment; who was taught that God was someone to be feared; that God punishes sinners with catastrophic events and hell? Does the message of Divine Mercy mean that God has changed? Did God offer the people of the Old Testament the same Mercy He extends to us or are we just hoping?
One quote from the Diary of St. Faustina comes to mind:
“He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice..." (Diary, 1146)
God gave mankind free will. He has always foreseen giving us graces to overcome our vices if we ask. If we humble ourselves, go to confession, and become pious He will change us. That is His mercy.
It is the devil who fills us with doubt. He makes us feel that our sin is greater than God, that we cannot possibly be forgiven. This is to despair, to turn away from God not because He is too good but rather because salvation is impossible to gain.
There are many excerpts in the Old Testament that speak of the Mercy of God:
"For the Lord your God is merciful and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him"
(2 Paralipomenon 30:9)
"For as the heavens are high above the Earth so surpassing is His kindness to those who fear Him" (Psalms 102 (103)
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus introduces the Beatitudes and tells us:
"Be merciful, therefore, even as your Father is merciful" (Luke6:36)
So the answer to the question is this:
We can grieve over our sins, in fact that demonstrates true contrition. However, we should never DESPAIR over our ability to obtain forgiveness or assistance from God.
The proof of this is the Eucharist. Why would God condescend to become human? Why would He willing accept all the blasphemy, insults, sacrilege, and apathy just to be near us?
We are so precious to Our Creator that he seeks us constantly.
St. Peter Julian Eymard says it very nicely:
“How many insults must Jesus Christ have suffered in this Sacrament, in order to remain with us. Some have trampled on the Sacred Host, and others have thrown It into the mire. He foresaw all these; but still He resolved to remain with us on the altar, that we might not be deprived of His amiable presence.
This is the message of Divine Mercy.
One quote from the Diary of St. Faustina comes to mind:
“He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice..." (Diary, 1146)
God gave mankind free will. He has always foreseen giving us graces to overcome our vices if we ask. If we humble ourselves, go to confession, and become pious He will change us. That is His mercy.
It is the devil who fills us with doubt. He makes us feel that our sin is greater than God, that we cannot possibly be forgiven. This is to despair, to turn away from God not because He is too good but rather because salvation is impossible to gain.
There are many excerpts in the Old Testament that speak of the Mercy of God:
"For the Lord your God is merciful and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him"
(2 Paralipomenon 30:9)
"For as the heavens are high above the Earth so surpassing is His kindness to those who fear Him" (Psalms 102 (103)
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus introduces the Beatitudes and tells us:
"Be merciful, therefore, even as your Father is merciful" (Luke6:36)
So the answer to the question is this:
We can grieve over our sins, in fact that demonstrates true contrition. However, we should never DESPAIR over our ability to obtain forgiveness or assistance from God.
The proof of this is the Eucharist. Why would God condescend to become human? Why would He willing accept all the blasphemy, insults, sacrilege, and apathy just to be near us?
We are so precious to Our Creator that he seeks us constantly.
St. Peter Julian Eymard says it very nicely:
“How many insults must Jesus Christ have suffered in this Sacrament, in order to remain with us. Some have trampled on the Sacred Host, and others have thrown It into the mire. He foresaw all these; but still He resolved to remain with us on the altar, that we might not be deprived of His amiable presence.
This is the message of Divine Mercy.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Works of Mercy challenge No.1
We are blessed to have this wonderful ministry dedicated to reciprocating the unfathomable mercy that Our Father has shown us. So, what are we going to do about it? I propose we challenge ourselves to memorize, internalize, and realize each Work of Mercy.
To begin, we need to address the importance of prayer. Sounds silly, doesn’t it? Everyone knows prayer is important, right? This ministry is blessed to have some of the most dedicated 24 hour volunteers. From receiving an email to visiting the sick and dying in the wee hours of the morning, our prayer warrior, for that is what we are waging-a war, are amazing and humble people. They are filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit and not a bit timid. These men and women face serious illness and death in the eye and see the joy and promise of eternal life. They ease the mind and soul of those who are called by the Lord to return home. It is truly a beautiful and unique calling from Our Father.
But what of those who do not have the hours or transportation for these more obvious Works of Mercy? These almost invisible individuals are the very foundation of our ministry. It is to them that we can attribute the safety of those who travel to visit the sick and dying. They are our Angels. They travel quietly with us in every moment. From their lips to God’s ears- ensuring we are never alone as we spread the wonderful news of the Mercy that Our Father extends to us poor sinners.
Challenge Number 1:
Spiritual Work of Mercy-Pray for the living and the dead
Intention: We are in dire, even desperate need for priests in this world that threatens to lead our children to perdition. Our Lord spoke to St. Faustina regarding the Chaplet of Divine Mercy:
“Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this Chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy (687).
A calendar was sent out earlier this month to the members of our ministry. Let us pray each day for the priest of the day. They were chosen from neighboring parishes in our diocese. That the Chaplet of Divine Mercy being said in their honor will inspire them with the fire of the Holy Spirit; encourage and console them in this world of conflicting values, and that it and be recommended by them to all poor sinners.
If you are reading this and are not a member, what are you waiting for? We need dedicated prayer warriors to ensure our Works of Mercy are fruitful. We meet at St. Martha’s the last Saturday of the month @ 8:30 A.M. Trust in the Lord, see what he has planned for you!
Vacation Bible School is here!
Written by one of our own members, this year's Vacation Bible School subject matter covers the Holy Mass and all its graces. You don't want to miss out on this!
The cost is $35 and sign-ups are at church starting at the 5:oo Mass today and continuing at each consecutive Mass (with the exception of the 7:15 on June 13th and 7:30 on June 7 & 14th) until the 5:00 P.M. Sunday, June 14th.
The dates are:
July 6-10 or
July 13-17
You can contact the Religious Education office for more information:
Annette Webster (951) 698-8180
Here is the link to register:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cGczZGQtckZxNGlUZmJObmRQMXNSSlE6MA
The cost is $35 and sign-ups are at church starting at the 5:oo Mass today and continuing at each consecutive Mass (with the exception of the 7:15 on June 13th and 7:30 on June 7 & 14th) until the 5:00 P.M. Sunday, June 14th.
The dates are:
July 6-10 or
July 13-17
You can contact the Religious Education office for more information:
Annette Webster (951) 698-8180
Here is the link to register:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cGczZGQtckZxNGlUZmJObmRQMXNSSlE6MA
Las tres "S" de la Misericordia
Solicite misericordia
Dios quiere que nos acerquemos a Él orando sin cesar, arrepintiéndonos de nuestros pecados y pidiendo que Él derrame Su misericordia sobre nosotros y el mundo entero.
Sea misericordioso
Dios quiere que recibamos Su misericordia y que la dejemos fluir a través de nosotros hacia los demás. Quiere que demos amor y perdón a otros, como Él nos lo da a nosotros.
Sin cesar confíe completamente en Él
Dios quiere que sepamos que las gracias de Su misericordia dependen de nuestra confianza. Cuanto más confiemos en Jesús, tanto más recibiremos.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Living Divine Mercy
Be Merciful as Your Father is Merciful
We are not only to receive the mercy of God, but to use it by being merciful to others through our actions, our words, and our prayers; in other words, we are to practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works (Acts) of Mercy.
The Lord wants us to do these works of mercy, because even the strongest faith is of no use without works.
What are the Works of Mercy?
Corporal Works
| Spiritual Works
|
Feed the hungryJesus' Call to Mercy
"I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it.
I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor:
the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy.
Many souls ... are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul.
If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy" (1317).
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