Friday, February 2, 2018
He continues to show me His mercy by favoring me with His cross…I know it is the greatest good we can wish for, this being conformed to Jesus in His suffering. We ought to wish to live only to have the happiness of suffering through love, but never in the way we choose for ourselves. Ah, dear Mother, how much I need the help of your prayers to get me to abandon myself entirely to His holy will in all that He wants to do with me! [Letter written to Mother de Saumaise, at Moulins, February 16, 1681]
Reflection: Jesus, how easy it is for me to turn my back on suffering! I exclaim, “I desire to serve You, Jesus!” And yet, as soon as You reveal Your Will to me, I turn the other way and cower in fear of the pain I will have to endure or how it will cost me some small comfort or pleasure. How miserable am I, how ungrateful! You were mocked, tortured and crucified for my sins in order to save me, and yet, I am not willing to endure even the slightest pain of that which you suffered for me!
Even as I have come to know You more, and understand how the suffering You give is but a sign of your mercy so I may be united with You, many times I turn away when those crosses are not to my liking.
Jesus, may I desire, as Saint Margaret Mary in her holy wisdom, to willingly accept any suffering you bestow on me, as a great act of mercy, and to always desire the suffering not of my choosing, but whatever will unite me closer to You.
Saint Margaret Mary, pray for us! Hail Mary, Full of Grace, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! May we abandon ourselves into Your great Heart of Mercy, and live only to do Your Will in all things!