The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Original Painting by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski
following Sr. Faustina's instructions
The picture above was painted by the gifted artist, Eugeniusz Kazimirowski. This artist was hired to paint the picture of the merciful Jesus as was seen in a vision by St. Faustina. Jesus had commissioned her to disseminate the devotion to Divine Mercy.
In the painting, we can see rays representing the blood and water pouring forth from the heart of Jesus. This fountain of mercy's purifying us was foretold by the prophet Zechariah and recorded for us in the Hebrew Scriptures.
The picture above was painted by the gifted artist, Eugeniusz Kazimirowski. This artist was hired to paint the picture of the merciful Jesus as was seen in a vision by St. Faustina. Jesus had commissioned her to disseminate the devotion to Divine Mercy.
In the painting, we can see rays representing the blood and water pouring forth from the heart of Jesus. This fountain of mercy's purifying us was foretold by the prophet Zechariah and recorded for us in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Periodically, the Lord must remind us of his total unconditional love. Since we, limited creatures, often show love with conditions, it is difficult for us to even conceive of the breadth and depth of our God's love. Centuries ago, Jesus reminded us of the immense love of God when He appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, showing her his heart burning with love. That picture of Jesus with loving heart exposed has comforted many
generations.
Today, the Divine Mercy Picture gives us the same message. In a time when hatred is
so prevalent in our world, Jesus reassures us of his great love. He also gave to St. Faustina a beautiful chaplet to pray. It is a simple prayer and can be prayed on a
regular rosary:
generations.
Today, the Divine Mercy Picture gives us the same message. In a time when hatred is
so prevalent in our world, Jesus reassures us of his great love. He also gave to St. Faustina a beautiful chaplet to pray. It is a simple prayer and can be prayed on a
regular rosary:
1. Make The Sign of the cross, the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostle's Creed.
2. Say on the Our Father bead at the beginning of each decade the following prayer: Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your
dearly beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
Perhaps, we could take some time to contemplate the Divine Mercy Painting and allow the fountain of mercy pour over us to cleanse and heal us. Let us give humble thanks for our awesome God and our priceless gift of faith.
3. On the ten small beads of each decade say the following prayer: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
4. End with the following prayer and the sign of the cross.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
In the Gospel of Luke 9:18-24, Jesus asks his disciples who they personally believed he is. Peter professes his belief that Jesus is "the Christ". Like a diamond or crystal, depending on the angle one views it, various colors shine forth. Each reflects a part of the whole. Pope Francis this year is asking us to focus on the Mercy of God. His response to that question might be "You are the Merciful One." If Jesus were to ask you today who he is, what would be your response?
Perhaps, we could take some time to contemplate the Divine Mercy Painting and allow the fountain of mercy pour over us to cleanse and heal us. Let us give humble thanks for our awesome God and our priceless gift of faith.
Thank you, Sr. Annette, for this reflection on the mercy and love of Jesus toward all of us. I find this particularly comforting after all the killing that our country experienced this week with Christina Grimmie and the Orlando massacre at the nightclub. Pain and grief is expressed on the faces of loved ones facing life without someone they loved very much. As a nation, we grieve with them and question how this could happen. Our prayers are very powerful and the Presence of the Lord is palpable in these times of immense sadness. As I pray that all those who grieve will feel the love of God through the compassion of those comforting them, I ask myself how I can express the presence of Christ in a world so filled with violence. As an Associate of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament I can look to the life of Saint Katharine Drexel and see that she spent a great deal of time alone in prayer with the Lord. Jesus was her Beloved Savior. Spending such time in solitude conversing with Jesus will strengthen my relationship with Him who promises peace beyond understanding even in the midst of unimaginable brokenness. Holding the image of Jesus as Divine Mercy is a beautiful contemplation for meditation. May the Divine Mercy of Jesus shine upon us all this day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your beautiful and timely response.
ReplyDelete