“Help me, O Lord... that I should never speak
negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and
forgiveness for all.”
Mary Duray, Connecticut
Mary and her husband suffered the tragic loss of their son,
and it was her understanding of Divine Mercy that helped her and
her family forgive those that took his life during a robbery.
Mary tells us how her attendance at a Mother of Mercy Messengers(MOMM) Divine Mercy Program
helped her overcome great obstacles and allowed her to forgive
and even to pray for them. Knowing that as long as there is
life, there is hope, the family did not seek the death penalty
for his murderers. How differently does the person filled with
God's mercy see and react to the world.
In 1937 Sister Faustina wrote the following in her
diary. (Entry 163)These are from her "general exercises"; her
own challenge to herself to live a life of perfect union with
Christ. Note how love of neighbor figures prominently into her
idea of perfection, and forms the cornerstone of her exercises:
+ O Most Holy Trinity! As many times as I breathe, as many times as my heart
beats, as many times as my blood pulsates through my body, so many thousand
times do I want to glorify Your mercy.
+I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living
reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your
unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.
Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or
judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls
and come to their rescue.
Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors’
needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.
Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak
negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.
Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so
that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult
and toilsome tasks.
Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my
neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the
service of my neighbor.
Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the
sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere
even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up
in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence.
May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.
+ You Yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first: the
act of mercy, of whatever kind. The second: the word of mercy — if I cannot
carry out a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third: prayer — if I
cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer
reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically.
O my Jesus, transform me into Yourself, for you can do all things.
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