Each day until Divine Mercy Sunday on April 7th, I will email you one thought from that day’s brief reading from Fr. Michael Gaitley’s fine book, 33 Days to Merciful Love. I render full credit for these thoughts, respecting copyright laws, to Fr. Gaitley. Each reading ends with a prayer, which I ask you to pray with me for this intention: the conversion of our parish.
Day Eleven
“If I ever become a saint,” said Mother Teresa, “I will be a saint of darkness.” None of us knew at the time that she was undergoing 50 years of spiritual darkness, even as she emanated light and joy to all around her. But she believed in a Light within her that outshone every darkness, and she continued to do little things with great love—just filling a plastic bottle from a dripping water tap for a thirsty person, or cleaning the wounds of a man she found on the street.
Mother Teresa felt paralyzed in her discouragement, and so did St. Therese. But they kept trying, and that was their heroic faith. Today Fr. Gaitley says that sometimes the Lord permits little souls to remain in the darkness of certain vices or sins so they won’t fall into the worse sin of pride. People rightly express discouragement in the confessional for not being able to completely get free of this or that addictive sin. “I always confess the same sins, Father.” But I say to them, “Thank God you are not confessing new sins!”
“You are called not to success but to fidelity,” Mother Teresa said. And, mysteriously, that includes “spiritual success.” We are all called to be saints, but to be a saint is to be above all faithful, and humble and trusting, even when we can’t get free of this or that sin. We must keep trying, putting all our hope in God's goodness.
Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Help me to do three things: 1) recognize the darkness of my littleness 2) keep trying to grow in holiness 3) keep trusting in your mercy.
Novena Prayer to St. Joseph
O God, who in your ineffable providence, have chosen Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother and father to your Only Begotten Son. We beg that under his patronage our parish and school may flourish, teaching us to pray and leading us to heaven. To the glory of God the Father, through the grace of Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Day Eleven
“If I ever become a saint,” said Mother Teresa, “I will be a saint of darkness.” None of us knew at the time that she was undergoing 50 years of spiritual darkness, even as she emanated light and joy to all around her. But she believed in a Light within her that outshone every darkness, and she continued to do little things with great love—just filling a plastic bottle from a dripping water tap for a thirsty person, or cleaning the wounds of a man she found on the street.
Mother Teresa felt paralyzed in her discouragement, and so did St. Therese. But they kept trying, and that was their heroic faith. Today Fr. Gaitley says that sometimes the Lord permits little souls to remain in the darkness of certain vices or sins so they won’t fall into the worse sin of pride. People rightly express discouragement in the confessional for not being able to completely get free of this or that addictive sin. “I always confess the same sins, Father.” But I say to them, “Thank God you are not confessing new sins!”
“You are called not to success but to fidelity,” Mother Teresa said. And, mysteriously, that includes “spiritual success.” We are all called to be saints, but to be a saint is to be above all faithful, and humble and trusting, even when we can’t get free of this or that sin. We must keep trying, putting all our hope in God's goodness.
Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Help me to do three things: 1) recognize the darkness of my littleness 2) keep trying to grow in holiness 3) keep trusting in your mercy.
Novena Prayer to St. Joseph
O God, who in your ineffable providence, have chosen Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother and father to your Only Begotten Son. We beg that under his patronage our parish and school may flourish, teaching us to pray and leading us to heaven. To the glory of God the Father, through the grace of Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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