Kingdom of Mercy

On Feb 22, 1931, St. Faustina wrote in her diary while in her cell in Plock, Poland:

“In the evening, when I was in my cell, I became aware of the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment.  One hand was raised in blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From the opening of the garment at the breast there came forth two large rays, one red and the other pale. In silence I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy. After a while Jesus said to me, ‘paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the
inscription: Jesus, I trust in You.” (47)

Painting of the Divine Mercy Image and St. Faustina in the Sisters of Divine Mercy Convent    Jezu Ufam Tobie – Jesus I trust in You

Restoration of the Plock convent destroyed by the Nazis in WWII is well underway

Original Divine Mercy Image painting, Vilnius, LI

In Advent we await the coming of Jesus, the Incarnation of the Word, our Saviour.  But the Kingdom of God is already at hand (Mt. 3:2, 4:17).  We do not have to wait, according to Jesus, the Kingdom of God is already in us (Luke 17:21).

St. Faustina wrote in her diary on Feb 1, 1938:

“O my Jesus, I have only one task to carry out in my lifetime, in death and throughout eternity, and that is to adore Your incomprehensible mercy.  No mind, either of angel or man, will ever fathom the mysteries of Your mercy, O God.  The angels are lost in amazement before the mystery of divine mercy, but cannot comprehend it. Everything that has come from the Creator’s hand is contained in this inconceivable mystery; that is to say, in the very depths of His tender mercy.  When I meditate on this, my spirit swoons, and my heart dissolves in joy.  O Jesus, it is through your compassionate Heart, as through a crystal, that the rays of divine mercy have come to us.” (1554)

On April 30, 200o Pope John Paul II canonized Sister Faustina Kowalska and included these words: “Sr Faustina’s canonization has a particular eloquence:  by this act I intend today to pass this message on to the new millennium. I pass it on to all people, so that they will learn to know ever better the true face of God and the true face of their brethren. “

The Kingdom of Mercy is at hand.  St Faustina, pray for us.