October 5, 2024 – Saint of the Day—Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska:

“Saint Faustina is linked with the Divine Mercy prayer recited each day at 3:00 pm.”

Here is her prayer:

“You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O fount of life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty yourself our on us.

O blood and water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust you. (repeat three times)

Eternal Father, I offer you the body and blood, sould and divinity of your dearly beloved son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have Mercy on us and the whole world. (repeat ten times)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have Mercy on us and on the whole world.” (repeat three times)

Saint Faustina had seen visions of Jesus where she reported she received this prayer in conversation with Him. Faustina reported that Jesus made specific promises regarding the recitation of these prayers. Specifically, that those who recite this prayer at the hour of their death or in the presence of the dying, will themselves receive great mercy. Of course, every day should begin and end in prayer—and everything in between should have a prayer-like quality to it. Holy G-d, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have Mercy on us and on the whole world.

Pastor Dave

October 4, 2024 — Saint of the Day — Saint Francis of Assisi

“Prayer led Francis to a self-emptying like life of Christ—he even embraced a leper he met one day on his travels. He is the patron Saint of animals, archaeologists, ecology, merchants, and messengers.”

“I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.” Ephesians 3:7-13

“We must not glibly assume that the failure of Christians to be perfect always is due to bad will, to laziness, or to crass sinfulness. Rather it is due to confusion, blindness, weakness, and to misunderstanding. We do not really appreciate the meaning and the greatness of our vocation. We do not know how to value the “unfathomable riches of Christ.” The mystery of God…is generally nebulous and unreal even to “people of faith”. Hence we do not have the courage or the strength to respond to our vocation in all its depth.”  (Thomas Merton, “An Imperfect Ideal”, Life and Holiness, p.18)

Gustaf Wingren’s book “Luther on Vocation” helps us understand Luther’s understanding of vocation. Accordingly, vocation “belongs to our situation between baptism and the final resurrection”. In this “situation” we live within two kingdoms (heaven and earth) – between G-d and the Devil. As Christians we are constantly pulled in this ongoing struggle. Vocation is our calling in life through which we are able to serve G-d as “co-laborers” of G-d’s creative work. Every day, through our situation in life, a person of faith must choose sides. This does not have only an earthly component, but a heavenly one as well—one we strive for and have our faith in—the new Kingdom in Heaven and on Earth. Therefore, vocation is our occupation—but it is even more—the “whole theater of personal, communal and historical relationships” in which each one of us lives. Every day is a choice to live as people of G-d. No matter how we respond to that choice–we strive as “co-laborers” of G-d’s creative work.

Pastor Dave