Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy

• Reflection 131- The Great Work of Small Sacrifices

  Is it better to do great works, or small sacrifices? It’s easy to conclude that some great work for God is far better than any small sacrifice. But is it? That all depends upon the Will of God. Sometimes we take on some “great work” for God but, in the end, it’s not part of His plan. A work is great only when it is done because God inspired it and remains the one leading it. Conversely, if God inspires a very small sacrifice on your part and you accept it and live it, then you can be assured that this small sacrifice will do more good for the salvation of souls than any other sacrifice you could ever dream up on your own. In fact, trying to force the Will of God to conform to your own will, inevitably, does more damage for the Kingdom of God than good, even if your idea seems holy (See Diary #639).What is it that God is inspiring you to do? How are you called to serve His holy Will? Look for His inspiration in the smallest of things. It may be a kind word spoken to another, or a small hidden sacrifice that only you are aware of. And if He is calling you to do something “great” that others will notice, do not be afraid of this, but do not be overly proud of it either. Do all things, great or small, in accord with the Will of God and you will find that all things you do are truly great!Lord, I believe that greatness is found only in Your holy Will. Help me to set aside my own ideas and agendas so that I may seek only that which is in Your perfect Heart. Help me to humbly embrace every small sacrifice You ask of me, and to have courage to do those things which seem to be beyond my ability. May I listen to You and respond generously to whatever You say. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: flickr

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• Reflection 130- Correcting Others in Love

  There is little doubt that each one of us will encounter, from time to time, the sin of another. It could be in their words, actions or the omission of what they ought to do. Sin hurts and requires correction. Very often, when we are sinned against, we tend to get angry. But the anger we have is not always “holy anger” and is not, therefore, always from God. We can easily allow our wounded pride to be the source of a harsh, or even subtle, correction of another. This, then, becomes our sin. But sin must be confronted and God will, at times, call us to correct others. Our correction may even be severe. But when it comes from the holiness of God, inspiring and guiding us, our correction of the other will not wound them, it will be an act of Mercy. They may need severity, and God may inspire us to be severe, but we must always be careful that what we offer ultimately flows from the Mercy of God (See Diary #633).Reflect upon any moments of contention that you have encountered lately. Were words spoken, or actions done that were based more on unhealthy emotion than on love? Examine how you react when hurt by another. Do you look at them with Mercy and seek to offer the Mercy of God, even if it must come, in that moment, in the form of a holy rebuke? Do not be afraid to let God use you to offer this form of Mercy. It may be hard to distinguish from the sin of anger, but we must strive to offer this Mercy for the good of those we are called to love.Lord, I offer myself to You so that You can use me as an instrument of Your Divine Mercy. When I am sinned against, help me to forgive immediately. But help me, also, to know how best to address the sins of others. Help me to know how to offer correction in love for their good. Give me courage and wisdom, dear Lord, and use me as You will. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Jesus casting out the money changers at the temple; by Carl Bloch, via Wikimedia Commons

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• Reflection 129- Do Not Be Afraid

  “Do not be afraid; just have faith” (Mark 5:36). These four words, “Do not be afraid,” are spoken countless times throughout the Scripture. We should pay attention to them. Fear can paralyze us and lead us into many forms of foolish thinking and acting. The person who acts out of fear truly acts like a fool. That may seem harsh at first, but it’s not if you understand what it means. It simply means that a person acting out of fear cannot act rationally. Fear does great damage to a person’s ability to stay calm, remain focused and think clearly. That’s why the Scriptures speak so directly regarding this important spiritual point. Fear must give way to faith and trust in God (See Diary #626-627).What is it that causes you the most anxiety, worry and fear? It’s a struggle we all deal with. There is no shame in admitting it. So what is it? Identify that which overwhelms you the most and you will identify that which God wants you to surrender in trust the most. Go to the heart of the struggle. Sincerely place that worry and fear into the Hands of God and trust. Trust that God is All-Powerful and capable of handling every situation. He may not change things the way you think they should be changed, but He will lift your burden and enable you to move forward without the fear that can easily paralyze and confuse you. Do not let fear dominate your life. Trust in God and let that trust transform you.Jesus, I do want to trust You and to entrust all my many burdens to You. I especially turn to You with (pause and state that which causes the most fear and anxiety). Please enter into this burden and lift it by Your gentle hand, replacing it with peace and great inner calm. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: flickr

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• Reflection 128- The Sweetness of Encountering Jesus

  Have you encountered the sweetness of Jesus? He, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, come to you in the secret depths of your soul. There, in this hidden place, they desire to communicate with you. Their communication is beyond words and concepts. It’s a communication of profound love that leaves the soul at peace and with a delight of the greatest sweetness. Their encounter with you is not an emotion; it’s a spiritual union (See Diary #622).How deep is your relationship with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit? Is it something more intellectual? Is it based only on the fact that you believe in them, for the most part? Or is it something that goes much deeper? The goal must be to come to know God in a real and tangible way. But that knowledge of Him must also be personal. It must become a relationship that is lived and that sustains you in all things. If the Blessed Trinity lives within you, and if you allow yourself to embrace that relationship wholeheartedly, then you will discover an inner sweetness that overwhelms any suffering or hardship you endure. The sweetness of that love will carry you, day in and day out, to the glories of Heaven.Lord, I long to know You, to love You and to become one with You. I desire to have You live within my soul, refreshing me with the sweetness of Your presence. Take my life, sweet Jesus, and unite me with Your perfect Heart of love. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: flickr

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• Reflection 127- The Love of God Through Obedience

  You are called to love God with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength. But how do you do this? What does an active loving of God look like in our lives? Ultimately, we love God through holy obedience. We must obey His Divine Will above all else. Perhaps that seems like a strange concept, that love of God is best expressed in holy obedience. But it is. It’s expressed in holy obedience because of one simple fact: The Will of God is perfect, perfect for us, exactly what we need, it’s what we were made for, and we must enter into perfect submission to His Will. In the end, the only way we will understand this form and depth of love is by living it (See Diary #616).How well do you do with the practice of holy obedience? When you think about this, does it inspire you, or turn you off? Holy obedience can be a difficult virtue to embrace and live wholeheartedly. It can be difficult to accept and to embrace as good. Look at your inner reaction to the idea of striving to obey God in all things. If you can rid yourself of any resistance to this practice, you will find great joy in loving God in this perfect way.Lord, I want to obey You in all things. I thank You that Your law is perfect and, when embraced, completely refreshes my soul. Help me to always love You in this holy way so as to make Your Will my own. In this act, I imitate Your perfect obedience to the Will of the Father. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: www.divinemercy.lifeCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

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