“However, after three weeks I became aware that there is so very little time here for prayer, and of many other things which spoke to my soul in favor of entering a religious community of a stricter observance. This thought took a firm hold of my soul, but the will of God was not in it. Still, the thought, or rather the temptation, was growing stronger and stronger to the point where I decided one day to announce my departure to Mother Superior and definitely to leave [the convent]. But God arranged the circumstances in such a way that I could not get to the Mother Superior [Michael]. I stepped into the little chapel [7] before going to bed, and I asked Jesus for light in this matter. But I received nothing in my soul except a strange unrest which I did not understand. But, in spite of everything, I made up my mind to approach Mother Superior the next morning right afte rMass and tell her of my decision.” Divine Mercy In My Soul # 18
“After a while a brightness filled my cell, and on the curtain I saw the very sorrowful Face of Jesus. There were open wounds on His Face, and large tears were falling on my bedspread. Not knowing what all this meant, I asked Jesus, “Jesus who has hurt You so?” And Jesus said to me, It is you who will cause Me this pain if you leave this convent. It is to this place that I called you and nowhere else; and I have prepared many graces for you. I begged pardon of Jesus and immediately changed my decision.” Divine Mercy In My Soul # 19
God led St. Faustina to this convent. He invited her and confirmed that He accepted her here (see paragraph 14.). Yet, St. Faustina didn’t see this. She quickly, in just three weeks, lost sight of the hiding hand of God and invitation of Jesus to this specific place. It didn’t live up to her expectations and she looked to leave. St. Faustina fell in prayer and Jesus answered, confirming His call.
How often do we find ourselves in the same place as St. Faustina? I don’t mean the convent. But, we are in the place to which God has led and called us. Be that our family, work, church or even struggle. Yet, we don’t see the opportunity of ‘strict prayer’ within, only that it doesn’t meet our expectation. So, we run away.
I found myself here. In my work I faced struggles. Any man striving to find His Catholic identity while working in a secular world faces a lot of the same struggles. The world is diametrically opposed to our faith. They push agendas upon us that challenge us to take a stand. I fell before God in a pit of these ‘agendas’ and begged God for help. Through a priest, God answered. “The world needs bold Catholic believers to stand as the light. You can lead others to be strong in faith through your faithful belief and life.” So, I went back to the world, and stood tall as who I am, a conservative Catholic man in an anti-God, anti-Catholic world. I became the light for others by being a subtle ‘nightlight’ in the darkness.
God calls us to where we are in life. He asks us then to offer that situation and moment to Him as prayer. Our work, our family life, the Church we worship in and even the daily struggles we face are opportunities to draw nearer to God through prayer. Our life then becomes a continuous and continual prayer.
You can stand tall against the agendas of the world by being the light for others, right where you are.
Don’t run away, when the fog of life draw thick or the challenges of the day are too much or even when things don’t look the way we expect, fall before God and pray. Turn to Him for guidance and strength. He will answer. Guaranteed!
Once Jesus has accepted you and taken possession of your soul, do not worry about what is next. Do not expect life to change dramatically right away, but do not be surprised if it does. All that matters is that you daily renew the gift of yourself to His merciful Heart and that you allow Him to daily renew His acceptance of you in His Heart