St. Faustina: "steeped in bitterness"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Not far from the entry in her Diary which I last posted: “890. Love is a mystery that transforms everything it touches into things beautiful and pleasing to God…” is this entry:

1. Jan. 25, 1937. Today my soul is steeped in bitterness. O Jesus, O my Jesus today, everyone can add to my cup of bitterness. It makes no difference whether they be friend or foe, they can all inflict suffering on me. And You, O Jesus, are bound to give me strength and power in these difficult moments. O Blessed Host, support me and seal my lips against all murmuring and complaint. When I am silent, I know I shall be victorious.

Several questions arise in my heart. I read in another entry before this one: "895. I did not feel like writing today. Then I heard a voice in my soul: “My daughter, you do not live for yourself but for souls; write for their benefit…” (My copy of the Diary, printed all the words of Jesus in bold, so these words are in bold today to indicate the Voice Faustina heard was Jesus’ Voice).

Because I believe Jesus truly spoke to St. Faustina and He desired her words to benefit other souls, I try to hear what He wants me to hear. The first question that occurred to me is: “How can love and bitterness co-exist in a soul like Faustina’s striving for holiness?” It seems that she is suffering from the “bitterness inflicted on her, by friend or foe”

The second question is what does she do ( and what must I do) when my desire is not to be bitter myself, yet I can experience in some degree, my soul “steeped in bitterness”? Faustina cries out to Jesus: “You, O Jesus, are bound to give me strength and power in these difficult moments. O Blessed Host support me and seal my lips against all murmuring and complaint. When I am silent, I know I shall be victorious”.

Trails are permitted for our good. God has revealed to us in His Holy Word, that we can actually “count it all joy, when we undergo various trials” (cf James 1: 2-4) but we can only rejoice in the Lord and by His Grace when we believe in His Love and trust He Grace is sufficient for us, as St. Faustina did.

Silence is another question. Can silence be sullen rather than sweet victory? Can silence be a mask for cowardice? There are many questions that may be asked and I believe only Jesus can give us answers through His Holy Spirit of Truth. The silence of a mother or father may certainly not be appropriate in their responsibilities toward their children. Silence of children can be sullen and the seed-bed for more bitterness toward parents.

Perhaps the silence, St. Faustina learned from Jesus – and the silence Jesus wants all of us to learn – is the inner silence which humbly allows God to be victorius from within our souls, as He continues to transform us by His Love. Any thoughts, anyone?

 

[Polycarp1]

**QUOTE] The first question that occurred to me is: “How can love and bitterness co-exist in a soul like Faustina’s striving for holiness?” It seems that she is suffering from the “bitterness inflicted on her, by friend or foe”

The second question is what does she do (and what must I do) when my desire is not to be bitter myself, yet I can experience in some degree, my soul “steeped in bitterness”?

Faustina is struggling as we all do with the old self and the new. The Holy Spirit working in her life, and ours, by bringing these deep imperfections to the surface so we can repent of them and offer them to the Lord for healing. We admire St. Faustina for her courage and struggle and even imitate her example, but like all of us she was a sinner who needed repentance and forgiveness. In fact she probably considered herself the biggest sinner on earth.

Like Faustina these worldly feelings and thoughts arise in all of who are following “The Way” in trying to become perfect, as our Heavenly Father is perfect. Acknowledge these feelings, repent of them and keep praying.**

 

[MariaChristi]

**QUOTE] The first question that occurred to me is: “How can love and bitterness co-exist in a soul like Faustina’s striving for holiness?” It seems that she is suffering from the “bitterness inflicted on her, by friend or foe”

The second question is what does she do (and what must I do) when my desire is not to be bitter myself, yet I can experience in some degree, my soul “steeped in bitterness”?**

Faustina is struggling as we all do with the old self and the new. The Holy Spirit working in her life, and ours, by bringing these deep imperfections to the surface so we can repent of them and offer them to the Lord for healing. We admire St. Faustina for her courage and struggle and even imitate her example, but like all of us she was a sinner who needed repentance and forgiveness. In fact she probably considered herself the biggest sinner on earth.

Like Faustina these worldly feelings and thoughts arise in all of who are following “The Way” in trying to become perfect, as our Heavenly Father is perfect. Acknowledge these feelings, repent of them and keep praying.

Thanks Polycarp, for your thoughts.

Yes, St. Faustina, like all the saints saw herself as a sinner and sought to be purified through all she suffered. May we learn from Jesus as all the saints learned and trust God to work ALL things unto good. (cf Mt. 11: 28 -30 and Rom 8:28)