| The
Hour of Mercy
The
three o'clock hour has always held a special significance for us
in our faith. It is the hour Our Lord gave His precious life up
for our sins. It is also the hour of His Mercy. On the cross, blood
and water flowed from His side. Now, a fountain of mercy flows over
us. Jesus gave St. Faustina special instructions for this hour...
I remind you, My daughter, that as often as
you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely
in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for
the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that
moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can
obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it
was the hour of grace for the whole world - mercy triumphed over
justice." (Diary, 1572)
"At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for poor sinners;
and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion,
particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the
hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter
into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the
soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion...
" (Diary, 1320)
How did Jesus instruct St. Faustina to pray in this hour?...
"My daughter, try your best to make
the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties
permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross,
then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore, in the
Blessed Sacrament, My Heart, which is full of mercy; and should
you be unable to step into the chapel, immerse yourself in prayer
there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant.
I claim veneration for My mercy from every creature, but above all
from you , since it is to you that I have given the most profound
understanding of this mystery." (Diary, 1572)
Few of us will find ourselves near the Blessed Sacrament everyday
at 3 pm. Many of us have the opportunity to pray the Divine Mercy
Chaplet at this time. But, all of us can take a moment, even just
a few seconds, to reflect on Our Lord's sacrifice and His great
Love and Mercy towards us.
*In
the diary excerpts, the blue, italicized text are the words of Our
Lord to St. Faustina. The normal text are St. Faustina's words.*
|
“Jesus’
Baptism”