Dear Friends in Christ,

Thank you so much for joining the God is my Glue community! I am grateful for your support and kindness. We are all in the same Christian/Catholic boat, rowing towards our true home. There are some days that you will row for me because I am weary or discouraged and there are some days I, or others will row for you. It is our privilege, joy, and duty to help each other get to Heaven. It is a great gift from God that we have each other on this beautiful journey. Let us begin!

A few years ago, I attended a Hearts Afire Retreat- Consoling the Heart of Jesus, written by Fr. Michael Gaitley. It would forever change my life. If you have an opportunity to attend a retreat, I strongly encourage you. If that is not possible, you can enjoy the retreat at home by ordering the book (details below). I learned many things, but I would like to share just one today. The significance and power of the 3 o’clock hour. In fact, Fr. Gaitley rightly refers to it as the Divine Mercy Power Hour.

With so many people suffering with physical illnesses, being separated from loved ones, financial difficulties, anxiety, depression, racial tension, etc. We need now more than ever the Divine Mercy Power Hour and we need to share this with everyone, just as we would a favorite prayer, recipe, or book.

Let’s go to the source, St. Faustina’s Diary: The highlighted words are what Jesus spoke to St. Faustina.

“At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially in sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion. (Diary 1320)

“as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment, mercy was opened wide for every soul“. (Diary 1572)

“I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My Passion. Call upon My mercy on behalf of sinners; I desire their salvation. When you say this prayer, with a contrite heart and with faith on behalf of some sinner, I will give him the grace of conversion. This is the prayer: “O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You.” (Diary 186-187) 

For many years I did not fully allow myself to ponder the Passion. It was just too much for me. I have a hard time seeing anyone suffer and imagining Jesus, the son of God, the kindest and holiest person, suffer the most unimaginable death. I admit that I pushed it down, away, and to the side because it was too painful for me. It is only recently, in the last few years that I have realized that I have done myself a disservice. It is only by truly seeing and admitting Jesus’ excruciating agony, scourging, crown of thorns, carrying of the cross, and crucifixion can we truly realize how much our Lord truly loves us. I always knew He loved me deeply, but if we really take the time and imagine Jesus’ sweat becoming blood, his utter despair in being left by His disciples, and His abandonment at the moment of agony, we know our Savior wants nothing more than to be united with us and love us forever.

And when we come to that place of God humbling Himself to suffer a death beyond comprehension, we begin to understand the extent of our Father’s love for us and the whole world. It is impossible for our limited intellect to appreciate the grandeur of His love, yet it is so awe inspiring and comforting. Once we embrace this truth, we can fully TRUST Jesus with our life. How often do we say, “I would trust him with my life,” perhaps referring to a doctor or a dear friend. How often do we say, “Lord, I trust you with my life.” Especially during the times of desolation. How often do we tell others, “I trust Jesus with my life.” With an understanding of the Savior’s Love comes TRUST and with trust in the Lord comes PEACE. A peace that will not disappear when challenges come our way. A peace that will remain with us forever and one that will comfort and sustain us like a cool glass of water on a very hot day.

How incredibly fortunate that during this especially tumultuous time we have been given the gift of the Divine Mercy Power Hour! Just as we can be frustrated when our children do not take advice from us that we know would be for their good, let us not be like that with our Heavenly Father.

In the Diary passage- 1572, Jesus asks St. Faustina during the hour if her duties permit, pray the Stations of the Cross or for a brief moment adore in the Blessed Sacrament His Heart, and if unable to do that immerse yourself in prayer where you happen to be.

How can we honor Jesus’ requests for 3 o’clock and the Divine Mercy Power Hour?

-Set a timer on your watch/phone/alarm clock for a minute or two before 3pm, so that you can finish up whatever activity you are involved in. At 3pm, take a moment to immerse yourself in His Passion and His Mercy. Pray for poor sinners and those who are close to death. Also, this applies to 3am, if you happen to be up or you work the night shift.

-If time and circumstances allow, pray the Stations of the Cross, visit our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

– Pray the prayer that Jesus gave us through St. Faustina for conversions: “O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You.” (Diary 186-187) 

– Ask Jesus for spiritual gifts and other intentions, knowing that if we ask humbly, with the right intention, and if it is accordance with His will, it will be granted in His time.

– Ask Jesus to have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Dear Friends, I pray that we will look forward to and celebrate the 3 o’clock hour every day. After we take a moment to immerse ourselves in His Passion and His Mercy, may we allow His burning love to fill us, so that it can overflow to all in our paths. May we have the humility and courage to trust Jesus with our lives each day, and if needed, moment-by-moment. May we experience His lasting peace. Amen

See you at 3 o’clock! I am praying for you, my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Please share this blog with others who may be interested. I always enjoy hearing from you! Godismyglue@gmail.com

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Resources

Fr. Michael Gaitley book- Consoling the Heart of Jesus: https://www.shopmercy.org/books/marian-press/fr-michael-gaitley.html   All proceeds will benefit Marian priests and brothers at the Shrine of Divine Mercy.

About Fr. Gaitley- https://www.marian.org/marians/details.php?id=428

Diary of St. Faustina- https://www.shopmercy.org/catalogsearch/result/?q=Diary+of+St.+Faustina

Divine Mercy Chaplet- https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/pray-the-chaplet