Speak to the world about My mercy; let all mankind recognize My unfathomable mercy. It is a sign for the end times; after it will come the day of justice. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fount of My mercy . . . (The Diary of St. Faustina, paragraph 848)
Over the years I have pondered and prayed about various Church-approved private revelations and writings of the saints on the topic of the “Illumination of Conscience.” The diagram below formed in my mind. It is a “mental map” to help us plot out current events and human responses from a spiritual standpoint. Given the increasing violence and degradation of the human person we are experiencing, this diagram may be helpful in discerning what is happening in our world and time.
Ideological Divide
Down the center of the diagram is a vertical line that separates those trying to follow God and those following the world. We have encountered the Ideological Divide at the holiday dinner table and in comment sections. Yes, the divisions are political but digging deeper we see ideological and spiritual roots.
The First Ray: The Age of No Mercy
One biblical name for the devil is the “accuser,” and this facet of his character is apparent today. From “cancel culture” to those comment boxes, from random violence to decades-old family schisms, mercy is rarely given. “He deserved what he got.” How often do we hear these types of statements that deny the truth that we ALL deserve condemnation, but Jesus died for our salvation and eternal life? In the “Age of No Mercy,” we sit as judge and jury despite the truth that none of us is without sin.
The Second Ray: The Age of Blindness
We turn our collective eyes away from the wreckage resulting from our “freedoms” and “choices.” If some truth interferes with our lives or calls for sacrifice, we reject it and pretend that truth is relative. This is a blindness that kills, and the body count is staggering. Graces to see what we are doing with our souls are often given, but we turn away.
The Third Ray: The Age of Mercy
Jesus told Faustina that we are living in the Time of Mercy, a time of great grace for souls. The only requirement to receive this mercy is the willingness to admit our need for it. Jesus also told Faustina that this Time is ending. The words of her diary are given to prepare the world for the Day of Justice which follows. The contrast of this age with its concurrent Age of Blindness from the other side of the Ideological Divide is extreme.
Some Event
In many apparitions and writings, saints, and Our Lord Himself, speak of an event that has been called “the Illumination.” Being private revelation, Catholics are not required to believe this. Praying with the information may help us, however, better understand our times and the nature of the Last Things: heaven, hell, death and judgement.
Several saints have described an Event which will reveal to every human on earth the state of their souls. Our souls will be laid bare. The only choice we will have is either to repent of our sins or to reject the mercy of God. This is a gift that will save many souls from hell.
People from all walks of life sense that Some Event is coming. Whether it is a huge natural disaster, a world war, an “Illumination” or all three is anyone’s guess. It is empirically true that humanity is not moving towards peace and human progress, but regressing into paganism, incivility, contempt, and the rejection of reason.
The Fourth Ray: Illumination as an Age rather than an Event
Taking the various descriptions of “The Illumination” one step further, I propose that we are living in an “Age of Illumination.” From Church hierarchy to business and industry, to academia, to interpersonal relations, and everywhere in between, we are living in a time of revelation of sins and crimes. Each new revelation highlights the contents of our own souls, even as we recoil at the sins of others.
An assassin takes out a beloved conservative debater, and people rejoice. A war starts against Israel, and people reveal their antisemitism. The unthinkable happens at a Catholic school Mass, and a government official tells his constituency that prayer is a waste of time. God in His mercy reveals the true nature of souls while there is still time to repent. We are given the opportunity to pray and fast for the salvation of souls, and when the grace is given, to speak of Jesus’ mercy to them. We are given the grace to see all that is unholy in our own souls and to repent of it.
These moments of Illumination have happened throughout history, causing people to reflect and repent. Collective moments like 9/11, which caused an outpouring of soul-searching and a massive, if temporary, return to the pews. One specific moment also comes to mind, from controversial documentarian and writer, Michael Moore. He describes the following sad occurrence the night Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated:
“As a child, I was exiting our Catholic church and someone from the parking lot shouted out the following information to all of us: ‘They’ve killed King! Martin Luther King is dead!’ A cheer arose from some of the all-white crowd exiting the church. It burns in my memory to this day.”
The conclusions Mr. Moore comes to differ from my own but, “burns in my memory,” is precisely my point. These Illuminations have the power to change the course of our lives.
When Dr. King was murdered, there was no social media. Now we know the extent of degradation that exists in the human spirit when millions of people will willingly declare their glee over the murder of public figures, disregarding the grief of families left behind.
What to do?
God chose us for this time; therefore, He gives us the grace to live in it while becoming the saints He calls us to be. St. Therese said, “This world is thy ship and not thy home.” We become saints by seeking the sanctification of life in steerage, not the comfort of the stateroom. We seek not comfort and safety, but God’s will alone. By staying close to Jesus through a prayerful Sacramental life, centered on our faith, families, and communities, saying no to fear and yes to trust, we will be cooperating with the abundant grace He gives.
We are privileged to live in the Age of Mercy. Let us be aware of the spiritual nature of current events and respond with God’s love, mercy, and grace for His glory, the salvation of souls, and for the good of all.
Lord Jesus, help us to “speak to the world” about Your mercy in every way You ask us to. Should our lives come and go without a “great event” they will still be well spent for the salvation of souls, including our own. May we be aware of the signs of the times, fearing nothing, loving everyone, and growing closer to you, until our ship comes into port at last.
Author’s Note: For those interested in learning more, the apparitions and prophecies, as well as individual testimonies regarding Illuminations of Conscience, are thoroughly covered in The Warning by Christine Watkins, which carries an Imprimatur.
Photo by Javier Miranda on Unsplash
