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My Dear Jesus, in obedience to my Spiritual Director, I come before you to write a spiritual letter. As I reflected upon what to write, one theme has repeatedly come to mind, that is: Making Ordinary Time Extraordinary. There are so many prayers and practices to be recommended in achieving this that one could write a book on the subject. So, where do I begin?
During my prayer time today, You gave me a Word, and while it was specifically for me, I believe You would have me share it with others. It is as follows: “My Child, thank you for coming to Me today. Thank you for the gift of your love, your time, your presence. This is all I ask of you. Give me the best offering of every minute, which you can give. Do not worry if the best you have to offer is not as good or as much as you would like it to be. Do not worry if the best you have to give Me is your imperfect self. Do not worry if your best is not very good in your eyes. All I ask for, is the best you can do for Me at that time. I do not condemn you if you focus on self too much. I understand that, in your human frailty, you must slowly learn how to experience the pain of self-denial. I know the joy that I have in store for you with each success you make, by My grace. You know also of this joy, for you have experienced it, and you know that it is the desire for this joy that causes you so much unrest; for you know what you are missing by your selfish acts. You know that the pleasure you experience by pursuing your own way pales in relation to the joy you feel in following My way. You know, My Child, that My way (the way I have called you to, and mapped out for you) is the best and only way to ‘true’ peace and ‘true’ joy. I want you to live always in My peace and My joy and I will help you to do so.”
In light of this Word, I believe the best way to experience Ordinary Time in an extraordinary way, is simply to give You, Dear Lord, the best we can give You at every given moment. You are always with us, anxious to pour out your mercy and love upon Your creatures. The natural becomes Supernatural when it is absorbed in and with You! In Ordinary Time, we have no great feast to attract us to You, but we still have You!! You are with us in Your Absolute Power and Intimate Love.
St. Faustina wrote in #1523 of ‘The Diary’, “My heart is filled with amazement that You Absolute Lord, in need of no one, would nevertheless stoop so low out of pure love for us. I can never help being amazed that the Lord would have such an intimate relationship with His creatures.”
My Jesus, I too am amazed that You would stoop so low out of pure love for me, a sinner! There is no point in making You a lot of lofty promises. Instead I just want to love You at this moment, as best as I can! I hope that in the next moment I can do likewise and in every future moment. Then, there will be no Ordinary Time...for all time is Extraordinary when it is spent loving You and being loved by You!
My brothers and sisters in Christ, may Our Merciful Lord bless your every moment,
Sincerely in His Love, Grace Devine.
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