Pillars of Fire In My Soul

Jesus demanded that the Image, as the object of veneration in the Devotion, bear the inscription “Jesus, I Trust in You! [Jezu Ufam Tobie]” and that it be placed under and not above the painting. Christ did not, however, place as an irrevocably necessary condition that the inscription repeat the three words [Jezu Ufam Tobie] exactly and literally. After all, Christ offered the Devotion to The Divine Mercy to the whole world, to all nations who speak in diverse tongues. Consequently, Jesus was certainly concerned with the meaning and not the number of words. He was concerned that the same idea be expressed, even if the words varied. Revelation 21 suggests that an image rep- resenting the crucified Christ with two rays emerging from His pierced side with the inscription, “Jesus, I Trust in You,” would be equally acceptable as an object of veneration, in accordance with the intentions of Jesus Christ, and that it would enjoy the same promises as the Image at + agiewniki. The salvific value of Christ’s death, which is the source of Mercy, would be even more perceptible and its meaning more understandable. Christ demanded public veneration of the Image of Mercy, in churches, and not only in the private dwellings of the laity, priests or religious. Christ did not explain in full detail what this public veneration of the Image should be. Given that Jesus desired that the Image be solemnly consecrated (blessed) and venerated by the faithful in church, and not beyond the enclo- sure, one can presume that He expects signs of veneration for this Image similar to the veneration given to other paintings in churches, chapels, and private homes. The Image of the Merciful Jesus is to play a double role in the Devotion. First, for the Lord Jesus, it is an instrument through which graces are distributed. We know that it is not the Image giving graces, but Jesus through the Image. The Image does not have autonomous power. For the people, however, the Image is to serve as a vessel for drawing graces from the well- spring of Mercy. Essential Features of the Devotion to The Divine Mercy 109