Tonight marks one year anniversary of the beginning of the Road of Faith. I offer joyful prayers for each of you who follow my blog and those you share with.
Today, we end and begin with one of my favorites from St. Faustina’s writings – Divine Mercy in my soul.
The moment I knelt down to cross out my own will, as the Lord had bid me to do, I heard this voice in my soul: From today on, do not fear God’s judgment, for you will not be judged” Divine Mercy in my soul # 373-374
I say these entries and pages are special to me because I’ve ended and began each of my journals in this same manner.
What a great reminder to have at the end and beginning of the year. With 2020, we close the chapter on OUR will and as 2021 comes in tonight, we open the chapter of GOD’S Divine Will.
Beginning tomorrow morning, from 12:01 AM onward, strive to live “Thy Kingdom come, THY Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” This seems like a very heavy lift on our part. Jesus understands how hard it can be for us, so tells us in #372:
“I am with you. During this (year), I will strengthen you in peace and in courage so that your strength will not fail in carrying out My designs. Therefore you will cancel out your will absolutely in this (year) and, instead, My complete will shall be accomplished in you.” (Divine Mercy in my soul # 372). I changed the words Jesus said to St. Faustina to reflect upon this year’s goal, I don’t believe either would be upset.
I guess you could think of this as a New Year’s resolution, but, it is more than that. This is a new life resolution. Unlike most of our worldly resolutions at midnight, this one has the weight of the promise of our Lord behind it and to carry it through to fruition. “I am with you”, “I will strengthen you in peace and in courage”, “your strength will not fail in carrying out My designs.”
It still feels incredibly difficult? Yes, because our faith is still growing from that small seed. But, that’s the point of this “resolution.” It isn’t that God wants to give us an unobtainable goal that we’ll fail at so we let Him down. He wants to give us a resolution that will give us resolve to attain heights and glory our souls could never dream of (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
As we move through 2021, we grow stronger and our faith busts at the seams to explode in world changing ways. The great part about this resolution vs. most of our worldly ones is that in this one Jesus is with us and strengthens us and gives us courage to get back up and push forward. We need to strive to grow day by day and as 12/31/2021 comes to pass, look back that we have learned to do the Will of God just a bit more in our every day.
“Sweet Mother, unite my soul to Jesus, because it is only then that I will be able to endure all trials and tribulations, and only in union with Jesus will my little sacrifices be pleasing to God. Sweetest Mother, continue to teach me about the interior life. May the sword of suffering never break me. O pure Virgin, pour courage into my heart and guard it.” Divine Mercy in my soul # 915
“Finally the clock struck twelve, the last hour of the year. I finished it in the Name of the Holy Trinity, and I also started the first hour of the New Year in the Name of the Holy Trinity. I asked each of the Three Persons to bless me and, with great confidence, looked toward the New Year which certainly would not be sparing of suffering.” Divine Mercy in my soul # 355
I am keeping this one Ed to pray over.
2021 is going to be a big year for me as I am significantly changing my life in relation to my career. I am stepping aside as President of my company on Monday. Yes, He had a lot to do with it and I am submitting to His will. I am excited.
So, yes, I need to pray over your blog intently to give me the hope and strength that I need to not be afraid and simply move forward for Him.
Thank you!
Your brother
Jim
Best wishes and may all God’s Grace go with you, brother! His Divine Will leads, we just need to be open to follow