"I want to repose in your heart, because many souls have thrown Me out of their hearts today." (Jesus to St. Faustina)
Imagine throwing Jesus Christ, my Lord and King and Savior,
out of my heart! Imagine Him living within me, and my suddenly saying
one day: "I don't want You here, there's no room for You in my life
anymore... here's the door."
Such
a horrible thought. It's tough for me to even write the words. Yet,
people push Jesus out of their hearts every minute. Maybe not with full
consciousness of what they're doing (although that does happen, of
course). But every time one of us makes a decision to ignore God's
serious commands in favor of our own, Christ is being shown the door.
How great is the mercy of Our Lord, for He persists, He comes back, He knocks and knocks again.
"Here I stand, knocking at the door. If anyone hears Me calling and
opens the door, I will enter his house and have supper with Him, and he
with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)
In
spite of His amazing persistence, there are some who never
open (or re-open) the door. It is a tragic, sobering thought.
Is there anything I can do about this?
I can pray intensely for those in whose hearts He is longing to dwell.
I can share His love and mercy with those around me.
Is there anything I can do about this?
I can pray intensely for those in whose hearts He is longing to dwell.
I can share His love and mercy with those around me.
And, knowing He is unwelcome in the hearts of many, I can offer Him a place of loving refuge in my own.
"I want to repose in your heart, because many souls have thrown Me out of their hearts today."
Lord Jesus, here is my heart. In it, may You find a refuge of love and praise.
Painting: Carl Bloch, Christ and Child, detail
This is a slightly edited version of a post from our archives. Coming across it again today, I was again pierced by Our Lord's words to Sister Faustina. As we approach the great feast of Divine Mercy, I pray that many hearts will welcome the One Who is Mercy and Love.
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