Pillars of Fire In My Soul

nate, for I personally care for it” (Diary §1273). This same idea is most strongly expressed in revelation 76: “Sooner would heaven and earth vanish, than a trusting soul not be enveloped by Divine Mercy” (Diary §1777). Three very characteristic, attractive and interrelated Divine attributes flow from the most fundamental essence of Divine Mercy: (1) “The greater the misery, the greater its right to My Mercy” (Diary §1182), (2) “The greater the sinner, the greater his right to My Mercy” (Diary §598), (3) “I am more generous to sinners than to the righteous” (Diary §1275). On the one hand, it is evident that the greater the misery, the more assistance it requires. Mercy for its part hastens with assistance especially to all those who need it more, particularly those whose misery is greatest. For, when giving assistance, inviolable moral law requires that priority be given to those who need it more. The Lord Jesus applied this principle to God the Father when He said, “I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven from the conversion of one sinner, than from ninety-nine of the righteous who need no repentance.” In accord with this essential attribute of mercy, the Lord Jesus assures us in revelation 77 that: “the greatest misery of the soul does not incite My anger, but My heart is moved with great mercy toward it” (Diary §1739). In revelation 69, we learn: “I am happy when they demand much, because it is My desire to grant much, very much” (Diary §1578). It is evident to every believing Catholic that the infinite Mercy of God is inexhaustible. The greatest sins, not only of an individual person, but those of the entire world, will nei- ther exhaust it, nor ever equal it. Likewise the Divine-human mercy of the heart of Jesus is inexhaustible. Jesus speaks of it in revelation 56: “It [Divine Mercy] increases through giving itself” (Diary §1273). At first glance this is an extraordinary argument, but in reality it is profoundly theological It refers to the universally accepted contention of moral theology that all virtues grow through performance of those acts to which they 100 Pillars of Fire in My Soul