# Miracles, Mercy, and the Little Way
*2018-03-14*

> Bill Young reflects on recent testimonies of divine mercy, shares a powerful diary entry from St. Faustina about confession, and explores St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s “Little Way” as a model of trust in God.

## Weekend Testimonies of Mercy

Last Friday we held our second showing of Father Michael Gately’s DVD on Divine Mercy after the Stations of the Cross. A Filipino visitor, unable to wait for the scheduled start, asked for a shorter lesson. We played the first 15‑minute segment, and many new faces appeared—clearly a blessing. She later shared that, while in the Philippines, she witnessed a dramatic manifestation of Divine Mercy, a “huge, larger‑than‑life” sign that overwhelmed her. Another woman at St. David’s in Davie, Florida, recounted a Marian apparition: while praying, everything faded and Mary sat beside her, holding her hand. Though she could not recall the exact prayers, the encounter left her deeply moved. A third participant described seeing a rainbow of colors fill her room while praying the Rosary. These stories remind us that God’s presence can be felt in unexpected, tangible ways.

## St. Faustina’s Diary on Confession

In today’s Daily Revelation from St. Faustina (Diary entry 16:02), Jesus speaks directly to her about the sacrament of confession: “Daughter, when you go to confession, My fountain of mercy— the blood and water which flow from My Heart—always pours down upon your soul and ennobles it. Immerse yourself entirely in My mercy with great trust, and I will pour out the bounty of My graces upon you. When you approach the confessional, know that I am waiting for you, hidden only by the priest, but present in your soul.” The passage emphasizes that the merciful flow of grace is limitless for those who trust, while the proud remain in poverty of grace.

## Lenten Scripture and Reflection

Today’s readings (Isaiah 49:18; John 5:17‑30) call us to seek God with purified eyes and a softened heart. The Gospel reminds us that eternal life begins now, through our union with Christ and participation in the Holy Spirit. As we meditate on these words, we are invited to let go of pride, racism, and ego, and to welcome every brother and sister in love, thereby encountering God already present in our lives.

## St. Thérèse of Lisieux and the Little Way

We turned to St. Thérèse, the “Little Flower,” whose “Little Way” mirrors the faith of Abraham and Mary: a simple, childlike trust that what the Lord says will be fulfilled. Though she endured a harsh upbringing, the influence of Jansenist rigorism, the loss of her mother, and early spiritual scruples, Thérèse’s humility became her greatest strength. She taught that holiness is not about grand gestures but about small, sincere acts of love and trust. Her life shows that God lifts the lowly and makes them great, a truth that resonates deeply during this Lenten season.

## Prayer and Upcoming Events

We close with a prayer to the Holy Spirit: “Come, O Holy Spirit, through Your mercy, help me to recognize my own loneliness and to rejoice in God’s mercy.” Please join us for the St. David’s Carnival this weekend (Thursday through Sunday) and remember that the next Divine Mercy DVD presentation will resume the following Friday after the Stations of the Cross.

*Even in the ordinary moments of prayer and confession, God’s merciful love can be encountered, inviting us to trust fully in His “Little Way.”*