Who exactly does this refer to?

[vash88]

This is a quote from St. Faustina’s diary (580). It’s the Lord’s words spoken to her:

“I am more deeply wounded by the small imperfections of chosen souls than by the sins of those living in the world. […] These little imperfections are not all. I will reveal to you a secret of My heart: what I suffer from chosen souls. Ingratitude in return for so many graces is My Heart’s constant food, on the part of [such] a chosen soul. Their love is lukewarm, and My Heart cannot bear it; these souls force Me to reject them. Others distrust My goodness and have no desire to experience that sweet intimacy in their own hearts, but go in search of Me, off in the distance, and do not find Me. This distrust of My goodness hurts Me very much. If My death has not convinced you of My love, what will? Often a soul wounds Me mortally, and then no one can comfort Me. They use My graces to offend Me. There are souls who despise My graces as well as all the proofs of My love. They do not wish to hear My call, but proceed into the abyss of hell. The loss of these souls plunges Me into deadly sorrow. God though I am, I cannot help such a soul because it scorns Me; having a free will, it can spurn me or love Me. You, who are the dispenser of My mercy, tell all the world about My goodness, and thus you will comfort My Heart.”

What type of people does that refer to in a practical sense? And since God cannot help them, does that mean they can’t repent? I ask because I fairly frequently deal with depression and I know in and of itself depression isn’t sinful, but at times in my depression I find it VERY hard to find inspiration or motivation to do productive things, and my effort in my works become minimal. And sometimes during those bouts of depression (though not always), it feels like my prayers aren’t being heard. Because of that, the above quote really jumped out at me. I am seeing a psychiatrist about the depression by the way. That’s not exactly the point of this thread.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Jesus is talking about souls who are lukewarm, like just not really that interested in him, or who reject him.

Depression is a mental illness. Jesus is not talking about people who are battling illness.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Jesus is talking about souls who are lukewarm, like just not really that interested in him, or who reject him.

Yep, the same lukewarm that Scripture says will be “vomited out”. Pretty strong language!!

 

[Stephen_says]

exactly the point of this thread.

Praying for your healing!

I think this excerpt is talking about two things; the first sentence is talking about small, probably unnoticed sins in those who call themselves Christians (the ‘Chosen souls’), like they havn’t done the work to make themselves more perfect, and that hurts God.

The rest of the paragraph is talking about to Christians who fail purposefully. We all fail on occasion, but I think this is speaking to those Christians who have heard God’s call once, but then for whatever reason have turned from God, either in little things or in big things. This shows that they don’t trust God, and that hurts him more than those “little imperfections”.

This does not mean they can’t repent. Everyone has the free will to repent. If you have something to repent of, do it, and trust in God’s mercy

 

[vash88]

Thank you for the prayers, and the reply.

However, regarding your last few sentences, how can someone repent (a thing which is a grace from God) if their “souls force [God] to reject them” as mentioned in the quote?

 

[Vico]

…
What type of people does that refer to in a practical sense? And since God cannot help them, does that mean they can’t repent? …

God gives actual graces necessary for conversion but if the graces are rejected, then the person is not helped.

Catechism

2093 Faith in God’s love encompasses the call and the obligation to respond with sincere love to divine charity. The first commandment enjoins us to love God above everything and all creatures for him and because of him.12

2094 One can sin against God’s love in various ways:

- indifference neglects or refuses to reflect on divine charity; it fails to consider its prevenient goodness and denies its power.
- ingratitude fails or refuses to acknowledge divine charity and to return him love for love.
- lukewarmness is hesitation or negligence in responding to divine love; it can imply refusal to give oneself over to the prompting of charity.
- acedia or spiritual sloth goes so far as to refuse the joy that comes from God and to be repelled by divine goodness.
- hatred of God comes from pride. It is contrary to love of God, whose goodness it denies, and whom it presumes to curse as the one who forbids sins and inflicts punishments.

 

[Stephen_says]

Reading it within the context of Catholicism, it is important to realize that God only can reject those who reject him. Repentance is not only a grace, but it occurs when an individual cooperates with that grace. Our response to that is what will force the rejection or the acceptance. God doesn’t stop reaching out, and we have to choose to accept that, which is always a possibility.