Episodes

  • Reflection 309- Conversing with Others

    Reflection 309- Conversing with Others
    Nov 3 2024
    When we engage in a conversation with another, it is always an opportunity to share the love of God. Even casual conversation has such potential. For example, listening intently to the details of another’s life expresses care and concern for them and reveals the fact that you see their dignity and are acknowledging it by listening. Sometimes conversations can go astray and become dominated by things that are not of God. In these moments the love and Mercy of God can also be shared by gently bringing the conversation back to where it should be, in gentleness and respect. It’s important to remember that every conversation should be consecrated to our Lord. It’s good to do so intentionally but this can also be done when one builds a habit of speaking of the good things of God. Praying for another while speaking will also open the door to a holy and healthy conversation. Do not underestimate the value of a holy conversation with another. It always has the potential of being a source of the Mercy of God for both of you (See Diary #1494-1495).

    Reflect upon the conversations you have had this week. Did they glorify God? Were you attentive to the opportunity to use your speech and your listening to bring Mercy and comfort to another? Try to say an interior prayer this day each time you have a conversation. Invite the Lord to enter and consecrate the person and yourself to our Lord. He will act through you in wonderful ways.

    Lord, I do consecrate my speech to You. I pray that every conversation I have may give You glory and bring peace to others. Give me wisdom and charity and help me to speak only what You desire. Give me also a listening ear so that I may act with Your Heart of compassion, hearing the needs and concerns of others. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: www.divinemercy.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Featured image above: The Visitation, via flickr
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    3 mins
  • Reflection 308- A Mother’s Love

    Reflection 308- A Mother’s Love
    Nov 2 2024
    It’s true that no earthly image can fully reveal the perfect love of God. God is transcendent and His love is beyond what this world can contain. But nonetheless, there are many things in this world that do reveal aspects of the love of God. One such image is that of a mother’s love. Though God has been revealed to us as the Father in Heaven and the Son of God came as a man, we can discover much about the love of God from a mother’s love. In fact, it is even appropriate to understand that God is like the tenderest mother to us. Motherhood is sacred because it is part of the natural design of God for humanity. He puts into a mother’s heart a powerful love for her child, offering unwavering commitment. Though no mother is perfect except our Blessed Mother, it’s good to look at the beauty of a mother’s love when using it to understand God. The tenderness and unconditional acceptance of a mother stand out as two aspects that reveal the love of God. God does love you with a perfect motherly love. Though this may not be the most common way to speak of His love, it is of great benefit to ponder this beautiful revelation from creation (See Diary #1490).

    How do you see God? Reflect upon your image of God and rely first upon the various images in Scripture. But also ponder the many natural means through which God communicates His love. Ponder, today, especially the love that a mother has for her newborn infant. Reflect upon the unique and powerful draw she has and her unwavering commitment. The Lord loves you infinitely more. Always find comfort in this love.

    Lord, I thank You for loving me with a perfect love. I thank You for the gift of motherhood and for the way that You reveal Your unconditional and tender love for me through this gift. Help me to always know of this love and to seek You as an infant seeks a mother. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: www.divinemercy.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Featured image above: The Awakening by Charles Jalabert, via Wikimedia Commons
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    3 mins
  • Reflection 307- Conversing with a Divine Friend

    Reflection 307- Conversing with a Divine Friend
    Nov 1 2024
    How do you pray? There are many good ways to pray. Here are some common ways: attending the Holy Mass or another Liturgy, praying the rosary or other chaplets, reading the Scripture meditatively, reciting beautifully written prayers, sitting in silence before our Lord, falling prostrate before Him especially in the Holy Eucharist, etc. One additional way to pray is to have a conversation with our Lord, speaking everything on your mind. It’s true that He knows all your needs, He knows all your thoughts and He knows you far better than you know yourself. But, at times, you will find it a blessing to converse with Him anyway. You may choose to go through your life, all of your concerns, all of your questions and confusions, and speak them directly to our Lord. This form of prayer helps to clarify life, as long as you seek to listen while you speak. But speaking all of your concerns is a wonderful act and will be most useful as you invite God into every part of your life (See Diary #1485-1489).

    So how do you pray? Reflect today upon the various methods you use and ponder whether there are other ways that you might add. Especially consider sitting down and conversing with our Lord as you would a friend. Think about even the psychological benefit that comes by speaking everything on your heart, expressing every concern, and presenting every question you have to God. There is value in the conversation. You may not have perfect understanding of His answers, but God knows what you need and by coming to Him with everything, you can be assured that He will listen and respond.

    Lord, teach me to pray. Help me to know how much You love me and desire to hear from me about every burden of my soul. I desire to bring all to You, dear Lord, to lay it at Your feet and to abandon myself into Your gentle Hands. Thank You for always listening. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: www.divinemercy.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Featured image above: A Hermit at Prayer by Gerrit Dou, via Wikimedia Commons
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    3 mins
  • Reflection 306- God is Relentless

    Reflection 306- God is Relentless
    Oct 31 2025
    Do you doubt the Love of God? The truth is that God is relentless in His pursuit of you. Though much of our holiness depends upon us, most of it depends upon God. While here on Earth, God never ceases to pursue you and to seek your conversion. He sends His Mercy to you constantly in every way imaginable. The problem is that if your heart is “deaf and blind” it will not perceive the tireless ways that God pursues you. But even in your deafness and blindness, God speaks and pursues and seeks and attempts everything possible so as to win you for Himself. In the end, if a soul remains obstinate and closed, God can do little more. He only needs a very small opening in order to begin His good work in you but if there is not even a small opening, then even God’s active pursuit will not change your life. Open your heart to Him. Even if you are in the depths of despair, allow Him to come to you with one drop of His perfect Mercy. Never close the door completely and if you have, do not hold it shut. He will find a way if you let Him (See Diary #1486).

    Hopefully you daily seek to open your heart wide to the Mercy of God. But if you find that you have been bound by the chains of sin, realize that your greatest advocate is our merciful Lord. He can do wonders for those who are trapped and imprisoned by sin, or have become deaf and blind to His grace. Reflect upon how open you are to His Mercy today and resolve to let Him come to you so as to begin pouring His Mercy into your weary soul.

    Lord, when I feel trapped or confused in life I know that You will pursue me with Your unlimited passion and Mercy. Your relentless love gives me hope when I am tempted to despair. Help me to open myself to You and to allow You to do Your perfect work of Mercy on my life. I thank You, dear Lord, with profound gratitude. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: www.divinemercy.life
    Copyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Featured image above: Merciful Jesus for Argentina and Uruguay, via Wikimedia Commons
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    3 mins
  • Reflection 305- The Depths of God’s Love

    Reflection 305- The Depths of God’s Love
    Oct 30 2024
    Imagine if someone gave their life for you because they loved you. They were put into a situation where they knew you would lose your life if they did not freely give theirs. As a result, they chose to step forward in confidence, giving their life in exchange for yours. In order for someone to do this they would have to have an incredible depth of love for you, so much so that they valued your life over their own. This depth of love may be rare but it does exist and we haven’t far to look to find it. We only need to look at a crucifix to be made aware of this reality. We easily become so familiar with the Crucifixion of our Lord that we overlook the fundamental fact of His perfect love. He valued your life more than His own. He did not hesitate to die a horrible death so that you could live. This fact should not escape your daily notice. It is not some far away sublime idea; it’s a practical reality that has absolute consequences in your life. Jesus’ death is the only reason that you can live eternally in Heaven. This is an act of Mercy that should leave us with eternal gratitude (See Diary #1485).

    Spend time today pondering the Crucifixion of our Lord. Try to see it not as some far away event that has only an inspirational influence on your life. See it instead for what it is. Without the free gift of Jesus on the Cross you would be lost for eternity. It’s as simple as that. His act of love was an exchange of His life for yours. The depth of His love for you is more than you will ever fathom. Ponder this truth today and rejoice that you are loved to such an absolute extent.

    Lord, I will never fully understand the depth of Your perfect love. In my small way I thank You with all my heart and choose to accept the total gift of Your death on the Cross. Help me to never doubt Your love for me, dear Lord, and help me to love You in return. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: www.divinemercy.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Featured image above: Crucifixion by Giotto di Bondone, via Wikimedia Commons
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    3 mins
  • Reflection 304- The Truth in All Things

    Reflection 304- The Truth in All Things
    Oct 29 2024
    Should we fear the truth? On one hand the truth can get us in trouble. Look, for example, at the Martyrs. They are witnesses to the truth with the shedding of their blood. They “got in trouble” only in the sense that their testimony to the truth brought forth their persecution. But in the eyes of God this is no trouble at all. It is an act of great love and honesty, courage and resolve. They chose the truth over life itself. Though you most likely will not be called to be a witness to the truth to the point of literally shedding your blood, the resolve in your mind and heart must be the same as the great martyrs. We must have an unwavering adherence to that which is in the Mind of God and must never hesitate to speak that truth with conviction. Of course, prudence is a guiding virtue that will enable us to discern what to say when. But we must, nonetheless, always be ready to adhere to and proclaim the truth with all the powers of our soul (See Diary #1482).

    Reflect upon how firmly you attach yourself to Him who is the Eternal Truth. Do you submit your mind to all that God speaks and believe it with every fiber of your being? This must be your firm resolve. Reflect, also, upon how you speak the truth to others. At times we can be tempted to speak without prudence which is ultimately a lack of charity. But at other times we can give into fear in the face of some opposition to the truth which is also a lack of charity. Seek to live in the Truth of God and to proclaim it with His merciful Heart and the Lord will accept this resolve of yours as a sacrifice of holy martyrdom.

    Lord, I pray for courage and prudence as I go through life seeking to live and to proclaim all that You speak. May I never give into fear or cowardice when opposed or challenged. Instead, give me a peaceful resolve to be a great witness to You in all things. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: www.divinemercy.life
    Copyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Featured image above: The Murder of St Peter the Martyr by Giovanni Bellini, via Wikimedia Commons
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    3 mins
  • Reflection 303- Silence

    Reflection 303- Silence
    Oct 28 2025
    One of the dangers many encounter in our modern technological world is that of constant noise. We are easily bombarded with chatter all day long. It could be through the radio, TV, Internet, or the ceaseless conversation of another. Rarely do we find times of great silence. As a result, when silence is offered us, we often look to fill that silence immediately. But is this wise? Is it good to occupy our minds day and night with noise? Though every person will be different, especially depending upon their vocation, every person does need times of regular silence and solitude. Without this it is hard to be recollected and to hear the Voice of God. God speaks in the silence and He desires to communicate to you through this sacred language. Do not run from silence for, if you do, you will be running from the Voice of God (See Diary #1476).

    Try to take some time today alone in silence. If you find that it is difficult to do even for five minutes, then this is a sign that there is too much noise in your life. Entering silence can bring on a form of “withdrawal” from noise. We tend to be comfortable with it as we are entertained all day long. But try to take time in silence today. Resolve to do so as long as you can. Turn off the radio in the car, go for a walk, or sit and pray without thinking or speaking, just being quiet in the presence of God. The gift of silent communication with God is a gift that you need and you will learn more from silence than from hours of the noise of the world.

    Lord, I desire to seek You in the silence. I choose to listen to Your quiet promptings of love spoken in this way. Give me the wisdom and strength I need to dedicate myself to moments of quiet every day. May these moments bring clarity to my soul and understanding to my life. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: www.divinemercy.life
    Copyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Featured image above: Photo by Keegan Houser on Unsplash
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    3 mins
  • Reflection 302- A Great, Powerful & Keen Intellect

    Reflection 302- A Great, Powerful & Keen Intellect
    Oct 27 2025
    Our minds are a gift from God and one of the two primary ways we are made in His image and likeness. The other way is through the gift of our free will. But the intellect is an incredible gift that must be given to the work of God. It is good to pray that our Lord make our minds great, powerful and keen so that we may know Him, understand Him and comprehend all the rich mysteries that He desires to reveal to us. Our minds grasp the truths of God in two primary ways. First, we must strive to engage all the many truths revealed by God through His Church. This includes the truths contained in Holy Scripture, the teachings offered by the Magisterium, the revelations from the lives of the saints and the theological discourses that seek to clarify and deepen our understanding. These precious gifts, given through the Church, reveal to us the mysteries of God. But the mind is also capable of receiving direct infusion from God. When we allow our minds to be given to God, He imparts a knowledge and wisdom directly from His own Mind. This gift offers us immediate clarity in life and discernment of His holy Will (See Diary #1474).

    Reflect today upon how fully you have given your mind over to the teachings of our Lord. Reflect, first, upon whether you seek God’s Truth through the Church. Do you study the Scripture and all that has been revealed through the Church? Reflect, also, upon the direct infusion of Truth that our Lord wishes to impart to you. This precious gift comes on account of His abundant Mercy so as to lead you into knowledge of His very essence and His holy Will.

    Lord, my life is Yours. Today I especially surrender my intellect to You to use as You will. Teach me Your ways and reveal to me the very essence of Your eternal being. As I come to know You, dear Lord, give me the grace to follow You with all my mind and heart. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: www.divinemercy.life
    Copyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

    Featured image above: by Tep Ro from Pixabay
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    3 mins