Lent Through to the Divine Mercy

How do you describe this journey? This was one of the most interesting Lenten and Easter through to Divine Mercy experiences for me...

This Lent compared to last year was very interesting. Last year I journaled every day. This year, I only wrote through a retreat that I took.  Last Lent as I recall was a conversation with God where I did all the talking. This year, I couldn't talk. I couldn't pray. I couldn't write. I struggled through a desert.

But God spoke to me very strongly.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.

He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes  so that it bears more fruit.

You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.

Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.

By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.

If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

 

I have lost count of how many times this Lent and Easter that particular scripture came up. Over and over again. From Westminster Abbey, in prayer,  to pruning my own trees, to walking and listening, and driving my car. The Scripture would come on the radio, or a podcast, or in various places. During this period, I got laid off after working there for 9 years, lost a transmission in my car; may have possible serious medical issues — all these physical or secular things that really, in the big picture, have no relevance to my relationship with God.

Since Easter, I am trusting in Him more. I am praying more. I am rejoicing more. Even though I do not know what tomorrow brings (and I never have) I worry less.

 

I have been able to see the beauty of new faith in the Easter Vigil. Praise God. I have had the extreme grace to be able to be there for my aging parents. Praise God. I have had the joyful grace of spending time with my sister. Praise God. I have had the inspiration of several paintings in my head, like seeds that need to sprout. Praise God.

I am a walking contradiction. And I like it.