The Divine Mercy

“The Divine Mercy”
May 2nd, 2011
Roughly 12 hours
Ink and watercolors

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” ~ Revelation 3:20

I was trying to get this one done for Divine Mercy Sunday (which was yesterday, May 1st, 2011) but alas, I had only just begun watercoloring it by late evening on Sunday. So I had to finish it today (and it took me the good part of today to finish as well) and then I wasn’t able to scan it on the computer until very late in the evening. So here it is, finally. I had made a picture of the Divine Mercy way back in 2008 and I thought it was rather, well, BLAH, so I decided to make another one for the Feast of Divine Mercy this year.( I’ll tell you what, I really run out of steam once it goes past the due date. I was so excited to get it done on time and then when I wasn’t able to finish it my inspiration totally just crumped out on me so I had to plug through it. I guess that’s the only way to get anything done. ) That aside, I’m rather happy with how it turned out, particularly Jesus’ face (which is based off of painter Joseph Fanelli's "Sacred heart of Jesus"), and the gothic tracery was fun, fun, FUN. Man, I love this stuff. It’s taking me a long time to do though. And guess what?! I found a really tiny delicate nib and its awesome and amazing and I am totally in love! So we’re gonna get some more detail work into my upcoming pictures.

About the Divine Mercy devotion:

On February 22, 1931, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ appeared to this simple nun [Saint Faustina Kowalska] , bringing with Him a wonderful message of Mercy for all mankind. Saint Faustina tells us in her diary under this date:

"In the evening, when I was in my cell, I became aware of the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand was raised in blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From the opening of the garment at the breast there came forth two large rays, one red and the other pale. In silence I gazed intently at the Lord; my soul was overwhelmed with fear, but also with great joy. After a while Jesus said to me, 'paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You.'"

Some time later, Our Lord again spoke to her:

"The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous; the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My most tender Mercy at that time when My agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross....Fortunate is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him."(www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy…)

“At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy ... In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.” (Diary 1320). For the Divine Mercy Chaplet: www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy…

"Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy...."

O Eternal Love, You command Your Sacred Image to be painted
And reveal to us the inconceivable fount of mercy,
You bless whoever approaches Your rays,
And a soul all black will turn into snow.

O sweet Jesus, it is here You established the throne of Your mercy
To bring joy and hope to sinful man.
From Your open Heart, as from a pure fount,
Flows comfort to a repentant heart and soul.

May praise and glory for this Image
Never cease to stream from man's soul.
May praise of God's mercy pour from every heart,
Now, and at every hour, and forever and ever.

~ St. Faustina, Diary: Notebook I

Two of my favorite prayers are:

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion --- inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

“Lord Jesus, I desire to receive You into my heart. Through this union with You, I offer myself to the Heavenly Father as a sacrificial host, abandoning myself totally and completely to the most merciful and holy will of my God. From today onward, Your Will, Lord, is my food. Take my whole being. Dispose of me as you please. Whatever your fatherly hand gives me, I will accept with surrender, peace and joy. I fear nothing, no matter in what direction You lead me. I no longer fear any of Your inspirations nor do I probe anxiously to see where they will lead me. Lead me, O Lord, along whatever road You please; I have placed all my trust in Your Will, which is, for me, love and mercy itself.”

Jesus, I trust in you!