A Divine Mercy Meditation Novena – Day 7

Day 7 – Jesus is Waiting

Jesus told St. Faustina once:

“Say unceasingly the chaplet (of Divine Mercy). Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy.” (Divine Mercy in My Soul #687)

We are getting closer to the feast of mercy and the end of our novena.

The image is almost done! One of my favorite aspects of painting this Divine Mercy image is that I have been in the presence of Christ and under his merciful gaze for so long. The eyes of Jesus leave a mark on the soul.

I think this was also the experience of St. Faustina. The night Jesus appeared to her, she gazed unspeaking upon this vision in wonder and joy. She only faintly grasped at the time the power of this revelation and the importance of the moment.

In one section of the diary, Jesus described the emotions of his heart as “flames of Mercy.” These flames of mercy burn within his heart, clamoring to be spent (Divine Mercy in My Soul #50, #177, #1074, #1190). The heart of Jesus contains a deep longing for the salvation of souls, and the love of his heart is so great that when someone rejects his love, his own heart makes him suffer.

Love is something that by its very nature must be given away, and in the giving we offer a part of ourselves. A gift of love that is not accepted, returns to the giver as pain. Unrequited love is one of the deepest human experiences, one that can make or break a person. Jesus yearns for a response to his love, and in St. Faustina’s story, yearned for all of her love.

By delving in the heart of Jesus we discover his “holy jealousy.” Jesus wants our attention and our love, and he waits for the moment we turn our gaze to him.

Tell sinners that I am always waiting for them, that I listen intently to the beating of their heart… when will it beat for Me? (Divine Mercy in My Soul #1728)

PRAYER:

Today, let us pray for all apostles of mercy, for all those who in big ways and small ways help bring the mercy of God into the world.

“O my most sweet Master, good Jesus, I give You my heart. You shape and mold it after Your liking.

O Immortal God, my everlasting delight, already here on earth You are my heaven. May every beat of my heart be a new hymn of praise to You, O Holy Trinity!

Whomever I shall meet in my life, no matter who they may be, I want to draw them all to love You, O my Jesus!” (Divine Mercy in My Soul #1064)