“The Lord said to me, I want to give myself to souls and to fill them with My love, but few there are who want to accept all the graces My love has intended for them. My grace is not lost; if the soul for whom it was intended does not accept it, another soul takes it.” Divine Mercy in my soul # 1017
Reading St. Faustina’s diary this morning, these words of Jesus call to mind the parables of the Prodigal Father (Luke 15:11-32) and the laborers in the field (Matthew 20:1-16) among others. These stand out to me from Jesus’ words to St. Faustina because they tie the extreme generosity of God the Father into His mercy to souls.
The Divine Mercy of God is beyond limitless. Unlimited and boundless just doesn’t capture how extreme is His Mercy. But, so many souls throughout history and maybe, more especially today, have scorned His love and Mercy. How many have seen the offer of mercy laid out before them and turned away?
The prodigal son’s brother did just that. He was witnessing the incredible Mercy, love and generosity of his father, but, became angry. And, even when his father told him that all his possessions were his, out of jealousy and envy, he still scorned the feast being celebrated.
The generosity of the land owner was scorned and ridiculed by the laborers. In their hearts, they were unable to praise this generosity. All they held in their hearts was jealousy and envy. These late workers didn’t have to do anything compared to them, yet they earned as much.
The prodigal father and landowner didn’t stop being generous and pouring out their joy because someone didn’t like it or want to accept this generosity.
What more of the Divine Mercy of God?
The Father’s unlimited ocean of mercy is poured out upon the world in such abundance that every soul that ever existed could be washed clean and fully sanctified of all the accumulated history of their sins. And, still after this generous outpouring, there would be no less mercy than when Jesus opened His heart upon the cross.
Yet, many scorn His Divine Mercy and even throw it back in the Father’s face. “I’ve been faithful all my life, yet You will forgive the thief on the cross who did nothing?” Sadly, many will stand before the throne of God and become angered because of upon whom the Father lavished His mercy. I don’t doubt there will be many murderers, adulterers and other sinners who receive this mercy and are welcomed to the Kingdom. While many lifelong Christians will be cast out. “Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.’” Matthew 7:23
Does the sinner who doesn’t accept God’s offer of Mercy make that Mercy fall wasted upon the ground? No. The Lord told St. Faustina, “My grace is not lost; if the soul for whom it was intended does not accept it, another soul takes it.”
It is in that action though that we are most closely watched by God. Will we take hold of this mercy and grasp it jealously to our heart? Or, will we pick up the mantle of His Divine Mercy and give it out ten-fold? We don’t lose an ounce of Mercy when we give it all away to others. God’s Divine Mercy returns to us bountifully and we become richer for it. And, those who refuse to receive mercy from Jesus’ hand but, receive it from ours, receive all the grace of the Father’s Divine Mercy. From your generous love, their soul opens to God’s Love and Mercy.
Maybe that ‘undeserving’ souls who is being sanctified at the judgment seat will be someone you ‘invited’ by picking up this unclaimed Mercy and giving it away.