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is “God’s Suffering Servant” who was perfectly obedient to the Father’s will even unto
persecution and death by crucifixion (Is 53:1-12; CCC, 539). lv He is the Author of the fullness of
the way of the Cross (Mk 8:34; Lk 9:23-24; Diary, # 324). lvi He is also, “the devil’s Conqueror”
(CCC, 539). He is the fulfillment of the “vocation as the Son of God” for man to emulate (CCC,
539, 724). He is the definitive “Goal in His new creation” (CCC, 315). He is also the “Face” 142
of the “Revelation” and the “Incarnation” of “the Father who is rich in mercy,” and the
compassionate “Redeemer that lives,” as well (CCC, 540). He continues to set captives free,
throughout all ages (Jb 19:25-26). 143lvii He is, as well, the God of love and mercy who wants to
draw all sinners to Himself (Diary, # 1074, 1567, 1317).
And, through it all, Jesus tenderly assured Sr. Faustina of His merciful Providence, “My
daughter, do not be afraid of sufferings; I am with you” (Diary, # 151). He also said, “I am the
Lord in My essence and am immune to orders or needs. If I call creatures into being – that is the
abyss of My mercy” (Diary, # 85).
II B.3 Suffering: “Do not Lose Heart…it is the Shortest and Surest Way to Heaven” 144
(Diary, # 1487): At some point, Sr. Faustina brought to the attention of the Lord that she
was overwhelmed by her many difficulties. She felt “discouraged” on “striving for the heights of
sanctity.” She had chronic fragile health, which not only made her feel “useless,” but it also
restricted her ability to meet her routine tasks in the convent, to fast, or to make the acts of
mortification that she wanted. She also endured many “interior trials” for her peers alleged that
she was faking her illness and demeaned her repeatedly, as well. It also pained her to have
Superiors and Confessors who tended to misunderstand her private revelations. She felt
142
Ibid., Pope Francis, “Misericordiae Vultus-Jubilee of Mercy,” 1n1.
Ibid., Pope John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia, I-1, I-2.
144
Ibid., Faustina, Diary, # 1487.
143
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