Jesus, Mercy Incarnate

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbour, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all. Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbours and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks. Helpme, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbour, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbour. Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbour. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who I know will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suffering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me. You yourself command me to exercise the three degrees of mercy. The first: the act of mercy, of what- ever kind. The second: the word of mercy – if I cannot carry out a work of mercy, I will assist by my words. The third: prayer – if I cannot show mercy by deeds or words, I can always do so by prayer. My prayer reaches out even there where I cannot reach out physically. Omy Jesus, transformme intoYourself, for you can do all things. A most remarkable incident in Sr. Faustina’a apostolate of Mercy occurred when she was serving as the porter at the main entrance of her convent (diary entry 1312). A poor young man, barefoot and with his clothes in tatters, came to the convent on a cold and rainy day begging for hot food. Sr. Faustina immediately went to the kitchen but found nothing there for him. After search- ing for some time, she succeeded in finding some soup, which she reheated and into which she crumbled some bread.After the young man ate the soup, He unveiled to her his true identity – the Lord Jesus Christ Himself – and then vanished from her sight. Later she heard these words in her soul: 82 Jesus, Mercy Incarnate