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If you want your dream to be, build it slow and surely. Small beginning, greater and heartfelt work grows purely.

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Welcome, this is David Russell and your faith anew, daily reflections guiding you to live in the divine will. Today's reflection is from the Book of Heaven by the servant of God Louisa Picaretta, june thirtieth, nineteen oh one, volume four. Let us begin in the will and name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Heavenly Father, you have called us not merely to know about you, but to allow your grace to transform us from within. Open our hearts today to recognize your presence, to receive your peace, and to become living reflections of your divine life. May every word we hear draw us more deeply into your holy will, so that your grace may shine through us for the good of others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In his first letter, Saint Peter writes chapter one verses eight and nine. Although you have not seen him, you love him, even though you do not see him now, yet believe in him. You rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches in paragraph nineteen ninety seven. Grace is a participation in the life of God. It introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life. As we continue our journey through the book of Heaven, let us remain attentive to the truth Jesus reveals through Louisa, allowing these lessons to deepen our understanding of life in the divine will. Today's passage reveals the unmistakable sign of a soul living in God's sanctifying grace. Louisa writes As I was in my usual state, my most sweet Jesus made himself seen for a short time, all transfused in me, and he told me My daughter, do you want to know what the signs are to know whether the soul possesses my grace? And I Lord, as your most holy goodness pleases, so he replied, The first sign to see whether the soul possesses my grace is that in anything that belongs to God which she may hear or see externally, she feels a sweetness, a gentleness fully divine in her interior, which is not comparable to anything human or terrestrial. It happens as to that mother who recognizes the fruit of her womb in the person of a son, even from his breath, from his voice, and she delights with joy, or as to two intimate female friends who, in conversing together, manifest the same sentiments, inclinations, joys, afflictions to each other. And since each one finds her own things engraved in the other, they feel such pleasure in them, such joy, and take them to heart so much that they cannot detach themselves. In the same way, the interior grace which resides in the soul on seeing externally the fruit of her very womb, that is, on recognizing herself in those things which form her very essence, corresponds with them, and makes the soul experience such joy and sweetness that one is unable to express it. The second sign is that the speaking of the soul who possesses grace is peaceful and has the virtue of casting peace into others, so much so that the same things said by one who does not possess grace make no impression, and bring no peace, while if they are said by one who possesses grace, they operate in a marvelous way, and bring peace back to the hearts. Moreover, my daughter, grace strips the soul of everything, and makes of her humanity a veil with which to remain covered, in such a way that as the veil is torn, one finds paradise in the soul who possesses her. So it is no wonder that true humility, obedience, and the like are found in that soul, because there is nothing left of her but a simple veil, and one can see with clarity how it is all grace that acts within her, that keeps all virtues in order for her, and makes her remain in continuous attitude toward God. Today's lesson is both consoling and challenging. Jesus does not describe grace as something hidden beyond our reach. Instead, he reveals that grace leaves unmistakable footprints within the soul. The first sign is an interior sweetness whenever the soul encounters the things of God. Prayer is no longer simply an obligation. Sacred Scripture is no longer merely ancient words. The sacraments become treasured encounters. Conversations about God awakens something deep within the heart because grace recognizes its own likeness. Jesus compares this recognition to a mother hearing the voice of her own child. She knows that voice immediately because it belongs to someone she loves. Likewise, grace within us recognizes the voice of God and delights in everything that bears his presence. This should encourage us. If we find ourselves longing for prayer, drawn toward holiness or experience peace while reflecting on God's word, these are not merely emotional responses. They are often signs that God's grace is alive and active within us. The second sign is equally important. A soul living in grace becomes an instrument of peace. Jesus says that the very words spoken by such a soul carry peace into other hearts. It is not eloquence that accomplishes this. It is not education or personality. Rather it is grace speaking through a soul that has become transparent to God. How often have we encountered someone whose quiet presence immediately calmed our anxieties? We may not remember everything they said, but we remember the peace we experienced. That is exactly what Jesus describes. Finally, Jesus tells Louisa that grace strips away everything that belongs to self until our humanity becomes only a veil covering paradise itself. This image beautifully reflects the life of the divine will. Living in the divine will is not about becoming extraordinary in the eyes of the world. It is about allowing Jesus to become so present within us that people encounter him instead of us. The less attached we become to our own pride, opinions, and self interest, the more room grace has to work. Humility, obedience, patience, and charity cease being difficult virtues we struggle to manufacture. They become the natural fruits of Christ living within us. Today, let us ask ourselves one simple question. When others encounter me, do they leave with more peace than when they arrived? If the answer is yes, then grace is quietly doing its beautiful work. If not, Jesus does not condemn us. He simply invites us to surrender more completely so that his grace, not our own efforts, may become the life within our lives. Let us pray. Jesus, thank you for the gift of your sanctifying grace. Thank you for dwelling within the souls that welcome you with humility and trust. Strip away everything that belongs to self and clothe us with your own divine life. Let our words bring peace, our actions reflect your goodness, and our hearts recognize your presence wherever you choose to reveal yourself. May our humanity become only a veil through which others discover the beauty of your kingdom. Help us to live every moment in your divine will, so that your grace may continue to transform us from within and lead many souls back to you. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Thank you for joining your faith anew today. May we strive to become souls so filled with God's grace that His peace naturally flows through us to everyone we meet. Until tomorrow, stay in His will, and your faith will be made anew