Inspirations of Divine Mercy

Mercy, an endless stream of compassion, a river flowing from a mountain's summit, purifying those who step into the current. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;      his mercies never come to an end;   they are new every morning;      great is your faithfulness.   “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,      “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

Feel the loving embrace of He who says, "I am the way, the truth and the life." “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7  If you know me, then you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him. You have seen him.” John 14:6-7

Oh, the intricacies  of creation, the fingerprint of God. For by  him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things were created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16

Take up your cross. His is so much heavier than ours. He carries the weight of every sin. We carry the weight of our own. Then He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

We are souls, drifting in the turbulent seas of this world. Jesus is our anchor. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord , and his wonders in the deep. Psalm 107:23-24

If we can’t forgive those who wrong us, how can we begin to comprehend Your forgiveness. And when you stand praying,  if you hold anything against anyone,  forgive them,  so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Mark 11:25

The grace flowing from His wounds will forever change the world. But he was pierced for our transgressions,     he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him,       and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

If we harbor anger in the darkest corners of our minds, how can we say to other,  "Peace be with you." Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Divine grace, fount of mercy, precious flow of blood and water, an endless river of forgiveness. For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith. This has not come from you but from the gift of God. It does not come from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

A yearning, a yearning for home, a yearning to be embraced by his mercy. How lovely is your dwelling place,      Lord Almighty!   My soul yearns, even faints,      for the courts of the Lord ; my heart and my flesh cry out      for the living God.   Even the sparrow has found a home,      and the swallow a nest for herself,      where she may have her young— a place near your altar,      Lord Almighty, my King and my God.   Blessed are those who dwell in your house;      they are ever praising you. Psalm 84:1-4

Blessed are we who cling to the edges of Your frayed robe. There was a woman who had been suffering from bleeding for twelve years, but no one had been able to cure her affliction. Coming up behind him, she touched the fringe of his cloak, and her bleeding stopped immediately. Luke 8:43-44

Grace, a moment of crossing the waters, a moment of feeling the warmth of a touch, a moment of knowing something more than this world is offered, a moment of drawing near, a moment of saying 'Yes' to His divine mercy. My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Strength in Jesus. Strength in weakness. Strength in humility. Strength in thorns. Strength in a cross. Strength in prayer. Strength in holiness. Strength in grace. Strength in forgiveness. Strength in a tomb. Strength in mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices,  and I give thanks to Him with my song. Psalm 28:7

We have pierced him with a spear. We have swung the hammer and drove the nails through his flesh and bone. Every one of us has mocked. Few have begged for his mercy. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead,  they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear,  bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. John 19:33-34

The patter of rain. A distant roll of thunder meekly fades. I know, if you listen with your whole heart, soul and mind, you will hear Jesus say. "Be still." Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped.  And He was in the stern on the cushion, sleeping. And they awaken Him and say to Him, “Teacher, is it no concern to You that we are perishing?” And having been awoken, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” And the wind abated, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:37-39

We are the exiles, in a land not our home. Drawn to your mercy. A light of holiness shining through the darkness. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12

Thoughts to Ponder ~ The more we stand in His light, the more we become aware of out own darkness. ~ Pride keeps us from the embrace we most desire, A humble, supple heart receives the mercy it seeks. ~ If we allow our sins to be taken to the cross, His blood will wash us clean of every stain. ~ If I center my thoughts on the world and all its blasphemy, I chose to miss the graces of days lost. ~ If we seek forgiveness from the shepherd who is good, He will be merciful and open the narrow gate. ~ Do not doubt the Lord, He is your salvation, the only source of redemption from your iniquities. ~ Do not seek fulfillment in this life. Instead, seek grace and be merciful, always poor in spirit.

Where you are there is mercy. Where you are there is grace. Where you are there is forgiveness. But where you are not... Stations of the Cross - Shrine of Divine Mercy, Stockbridge Ma ~ Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, — and with him two others— one on each side and Jesus in the middle. John 19:17-18

Thank you Lord, for the good things. You give me a wife to adore, one filled with goodness, one who stands beside me in faith and takes my hand during every struggle. You give children who radiate the gift of your love, entrusted to parents who cherish. You give grandchildren who bring joy in these years when your grace overflows. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in Heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Matthew 7:11

I took this picture from the top of Mount Willard, in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, a couple weeks ago. just imagine standing up there, feeling the wind blow, knowing that God’s voice is not in the wind, but in the whispered silence that follows. ~ The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord , for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord , but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.     After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12