PRAY AND ATONE TO COMBAT EVIL

 Divine Appeal Reflection  - 107

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 107: "Do not fear to suffer in order to gain souls for me. I need every soul as if it is the only one on earth. The devil is labouring hard to destroy all the souls. Pray a great deal and atone for souls." 

Underlying Jesus's appeal is His constant thirst for each and every soul. On the Cross, Jesus expressed a profound spiritual longing for our love and salvation (John 19:28). This divine thirst continues today, as Jesus tirelessly seeks to draw every soul to Himself. He wishes for the salvation of every soul as if it were the only one on earth because he considers every soul as valuable, distinct, and irreplaceable. This is the theological notion of God's unwavering pursuit of our redemption and His personal affection for each and every one of us.

However, many struggle to accept this gift of mercy due to the devil's relentless efforts to lead souls astray. Our Adorable Jesus warns us of the devil's hard labor to destroy souls. In this spiritual battle, our prayers for one another are crucial. St. Paul exhorted the early Christians to offer prayers, thanksgivings, intercessions, and supplications for everyone (1 Timothy 2:1). This emphasizes the value of intercessory prayer in the Christian life, in line with what the Church teaches about the communion of saints and the faithful's obligation to assist one another in prayer. God's power transcends the limitations of time and space, allowing our prayers to reach souls far beyond our immediate reach. When we pray for others, our petitions join with the eternal present of God's love and mercy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the prayer of the Church is sustained by the prayer of Jesus, emphasizing that our prayers, united with Christ's eternal intercession, can bring about conversion and salvation, even for those we may never meet. This highlights the interconnectedness of the Body of Christ and the efficacy of prayer across temporal and spatial boundaries.

May the heavenly saints, Our Blessed Mother, and Sr. Anna Ali intercede for us as we embrace the call to save souls. Their prayers and examples offer us strength and guidance in our mission. As they stand before the throne of God, they plead for our needs and the needs of the world, helping to quench Jesus's divine thirst for the salvation of every soul. Let us rely on their intercession and take inspiration from their example, knowing that we may offer hope and light to a world that is in great need of God's love through our own prayers and sacrifices as well as their heavenly support. In unity with these holy intercessors, may we fulfill Jesus's urgent plea and participate in His divine mission to save souls.