SPEAKER_01 0:06

If you want your dream to be, build it slow and surely Small Beginning Greater and Heartfelt Work grows purely.

SPEAKER_00 0:25

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, july third, nineteen hundred, volume three. Let us begin in the will and name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Heavenly Father, when your ways are hidden from our understanding and your silence seems difficult to bear, grant us the grace to trust in your perfect wisdom. Teach us to remain faithful in every trial, obedient to your holy will, and confident that your love never abandons those who seek you. May every suffering become an opportunity to unite ourselves more deeply with Jesus and allow his divine will to reign within us. Amen. In his first letter chapter four, verses twelve to fourteen, Saint Peter encourages believers enduring trials. Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you, but rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches in paragraph two thousand and three. The Holy Spirit gives to certain of the faithful the gifts of wisdom, faith, and discernment for the sake of this common good, which is prayer. Spiritual direction is one means of ensuring this. He also gives to the faithful special graces called charisms, after the Greek term used by Saint Paul, and meaning favor, gratuitous gift benefit. Whatever their character, sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues, charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the church. As we continue our journey through the book of heaven, may our hearts remain open to the light Jesus desires to reveal. Now let us listen prayerfully as Louisa shares today's entry. This morning, having received communion, as soon as I saw my adorable Jesus, I said to him My beloved Lord, how is it that you are sending so many chastisements? Why this time do you not want to placate yourself for any reason? It seems that all means have failed, both praying and saying Lord, pour your bitternesses upon me. Ah, it has not been your usual way to act like this. While I was saying this, interrupting my speaking, blessed Jesus answered Yet my daughter, the chastisements I am sending are still nothing compared to those which have been prepared. Therefore, do not want to afflict yourself with these, because they are not a matter of great affliction. As he was saying this, in front of me I saw many people affected by contagious diseases who were dying. So taken by horror I said to him Ah Lord, that's all we need. What are you doing? What are you doing? If you want to do this, take me away from this earth, for my heart cannot bear the sight of scenes so gloomy. Besides, who can endure continuing in this state in which you put me, that you do not come or you come like a shadow? And not only this, but you leave me dazed, sleepy, not letting me understand anything anymore. Yet you told me that you would leave me like this until you would somehow give vent to your fury. But now you want to add fury to fury, and it seems you will not be done for now. Poor me, poor me who will give me the strength to remain in this state? Who would be able to endure? While I poured out my affliction, compassionating me Jesus said to me, My daughter, do not be concerned by your state of sleepiness. This says that just as I am with people, as if I were sleeping, as if I did not hear them and look at them, in that same state have I placed you. After all, if you mind it, I told you last time, do you want me to suspend your state of victim? And I Lord, obedience does not want me to accept this suspension. And he Well then what do you want from me? Be quiet and obey. Who can say how afflicted I remained? Not only this, but it seems that my interior powers were left so asleep that I live as if I were not living. Ah Lord, have pity on me. Do not leave me in abandonment in such a pitiful and sorrowful state. Today's passage reminds us that one of the greatest trials in the spiritual life is not necessarily suffering itself, but the feeling that God is distant. Louisa experiences both interior darkness and exterior sorrow as she witnesses the consequences of humanity's rejection of God. She pleads for relief. Yet Jesus invites her to something even deeper than relief. Trust. Jesus explains that her state reflects his apparent silence before the world. This does not mean he has ceased loving his children. Rather, it reveals that his wisdom often operates beyond what human eyes can immediately understand. Even when his providence seems hidden, he remains fully present and fully in control. Living in the divine will does not exempt us from moments when prayer feels dry or when we struggle to understand why God permits suffering. Instead, it teaches us to continue saying yes, even when we cannot see the outcome. The soul living in the divine will learns to love God's will not only when it is consoling, but also when it is mysterious. Notice also that Jesus gently reminds Louisa of obedience. Her feelings urge one response, but obedience anchors her in another. In every age, obedience protects us from allowing emotion to become our guide. It guides us united with God's providence even when our hearts are heavy. Many of us experience seasons when God seems quiet, our prayers appear unanswered. The world around us seems filled with confusion, illness, conflict, or loss. During those times, we may be tempted to think God has forgotten us. Today's reading assures us that He has not. His apparent silence is never abandonment. Our task is not to understand everything God permits. Our task is to remain faithful, to continue praying, loving, serving, and surrendering each moment into His divine will. When we do, our acts become united with the eternal act of God Himself. Even hidden fidelity bears fruit that we may never fully see in this life. Today, whenever you encounter something you cannot explain or control, quietly pray Jesus, I trust your divine will more than my own understanding. That simple act of surrender allows his peace to begin reigning where anxiety once lived. Let us pray. Lord Jesus, when you seem silent, help me remember that your love never sleeps. When I cannot understand your providence, strengthen my faith to trust beyond what I can see. Preserve me from discouragement, impatience, and fear. I surrender every unanswered question, every hidden sorrow, and every trial into your divine will. Teach me to remain obedient, peaceful and confident that you are accomplishing a greater good than I can imagine. May every heartbeat, every prayer, every sacrifice, and every ordinary moment become one with your eternal acts, bringing you glory and drawing souls closer to you. Jesus, let your divine will become my strength when I feel weak, my light when I walk in darkness, and my peace when my heart is troubled. I abandon myself completely to you, confident that your will is always perfect, always loving, and always leading me safely home. Amen. Thank you for joining your faith anew today. When God seems silent, he's still inviting us to trust. May today's reflection encourage you to remain faithful in every circumstance, allowing his divine will to transform every trial into an opportunity for deeper union with him. Until tomorrow, let Jesus do.