God does not rely only on our talents, but also on our redeemed weakness. This, for example, makes Saint Paul say that there is also a plan for one’s fragility…. The Lord does not take away all our weaknesses, but helps us to walk on with our weaknesses, taking us by the hand. He takes our weaknesses by the hand and places himself by our side. And this is tenderness.
The experience of tenderness consists in seeing God’s power pass through precisely that which makes us most fragile; on condition, however, that we are converted from the gaze of the evil one who “makes us see and condemn our frailty,” whereas the Holy Spirit “brings it to light with tender love” (Patris Corde, 2).
“Tenderness is the best way to touch the frailty within us.”
Look at how nurses touch the wounds of the sick: with tenderness, so as not to hurt them further. And this is how the Lord touches our wounds, with the same tenderness. “That is why it is so important to encounter God’s mercy, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation” in personal prayer with God, “where we experience his truth and tenderness.
“Paradoxically, the evil one can also speak the truth to us”: he is a liar, but he can arrange things so that he tells us the truth in order to lead us to lies, “yet he does so only to condemn us.”. Instead, the Lord tells us the truth and reaches out his hand to save us. However, “we know that God’s truth does not condemn, but instead welcomes, embraces, sustains and forgives us” (Patris Corde, 2).
God always forgives: keep this clearly in your head and your heart. God always forgives. We are the ones who tire of asking for forgiveness. But he always forgives, even the worst things.
~Pope Francis, January 19, 2022
Novena prayer:
Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph, whose power makes the impossible possible, come to my aid in these times of anguish and difficulty. Take under your protection the serious and troubling situations that I commend to you, that they may have a happy outcome.
My beloved father, all my trust is in you. Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain, and since you can do everything with Jesus and Mary, show me that your goodness is as great as your power. Amen.
List your intentions.
And today we celebrate...