An Amazing Story of God’s Mercy Towards a Blasphemer!

 (Words taken from p. 294-296 of ‘The Sinner’s Return to God’ by Fr. Mueller): 

“Father Lireus relates the following story: A certain young nobleman gave himself up to gambling. In one afternoon he lost all his money, and contracted a great debt besides.

Enraged at this loss, he commenced to utter the most frightful blasphemies. “Now, Jesus Chris!” said he blasphemously, “I am done with Thee; I no longer care for Thee nor for Thy threats; Thou canst not make me suffer a greater loss than I have sustained to-day.” What happened? In the afternoon of that very day he met with an accident. The carriage in which he was riding home was upset and he broke his leg. The fracture was very bad and brought on a dangerous fever, so much so, that the physicians entertained serious doubts about his recovery. The young man now understood that God was able to make him undergo a still greater loss than that of his money, to wit, his health and even his life probably. But instead of entering into himself and asking God’s pardon, this great sinner blasphemed God more than ever. “God,” said he, “Thou rejoicest in showing how it is in Thy power to punish me still more severely. Very well, show me now that Thou canst inflict on me the greatest punishment possible. And since, after the loss of my money, health, and life, there is no greater misfortune than that of eternal damnation, show me how it is in Thy power to cast me into hell. If I were Thy God” horrible to relate, horrible to hear “if I were Thy God, I would do this to Thee also!” most horrible blasphemy! Why was it that hell did not open that very instant to devour so execrable a blasphemer? But God is merciful. As the impious young man in his despair and rage refused to listen to any good advice, God inspired His servant to enter his room and whisper into his ear the following words: “My lord, there is a good friend of yours here who wishes to take leave of you.” “Who is it?” asked the dying sinner; “let him come in.” At these words the good servant showed him a crucifix, saying: “Behold, my lord, this is your best friend, who wishes to say a word to you.” At that very moment the grace of God touched the heart of the blasphemer, and enlightened him to see his miserable state. He raised his eyes and fixed them on the crucifix. The eyes of the crucifix seemed to become alive, and to cast looks of mercy upon the dying man, and he beard a voice coming forth from the crucifix saying unto him: “My child, I will show you that it is in my power to do to you what is best and not what is worst. Had I wished to cast you into hell, I could have done so long ago. But no, my child, I will do to you not what is worst, but what is best. You say that were you my God, you would cast me into hell for ever. Now, I am your God – well, I will make you happy with me in Heaven for all eternity, although you have not deserved such a mercy.” At this voice of mercy the dying sinner took the crucifix into his hands, pressed it to his lips, and shed a torrent of tears; he made a general confession with such contrition of heart that even his confessor could not help weeping. After having received the last Sacraments, he continued to shed bitter tears of sorrow and true love for God, and soon after died in this happy state.

How true are those words that the Lord spoke one day to Blessed Henry Suso. “Imagine,” said He to His great servant, “that the whole world was on fire, and then see how quickly a handful of straw cast into it is consumed. But I forgive a repentant sinner a thousand times quicker than a handful of straw can be burned up in the largest fire.”

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The book from which these beautiful words come, can be found online here: https://archive.org/stream/theprodigalsonor00mulluoft#page/n7/mode/2up

 

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Encouragement For Those Tempted To Despair…

“I have no resource against this temptation to despair, but to throw myself before the Tabernacle, like a little dog at his master’s feet.”

– St. John Vianney

The Devil tempts many to despair; he often reserves this tempation for those who serve God, or who wish to serve Him. Impenitent sinners and the lukewarm are more likely to be tempted to presumption.

The temptation to despair takes different forms. Some believe that they will not persevere; others believe that they have managed to exhaust the infinite mercy of God. For this latter temptation, it will be profitable to consider the words of God to St. Hildegard.

God made known to her His great mercy for souls. He assured her – and He assures us –  that a sinner is only ‘beyond’ help if they obstinately refuse it; even those who have terribly blasphemed God can be pardoned, provided that they repent of their malice, recognising that God’s mercy is infinitely greater than all their sins. As long as a breath of life remains to us, we may hope for pardon. Speaking of those who have committed various grave sins, God says that they will be forgiven if they return to Him…

 “But if they persevere in their infidelity… [If they] remain impenitent…  And if they persist in this, they cannot receive pardon because of… their obduracy [hardness of heart or final impenitence], for they so stifle the understanding of their hearts that they cannot aspire upwards.”

And yet, God continues:

 “… But if any of these [ie. those who have blasphemed God’s love] is led by penitence and truly seeks Me, he shall find Me, for I reject no one who comes to Me with a sincere heart.”  

What, then, do we fear? God is always ready to embrace us! God continued to tell St. Hildegard that those who confide in Him when tempted to despair or blasphemy, can be assured of His assistance, as He has great compassion for those who are tormented by these grave temptations. Many of the saints were tempted thus. We can be consoled by the thought that our infinitely loving and wise Saviour permits these trials for our merit, for the salvation of souls, for His glory, and so that we may grow in humility, faith, hope, love, and thereby be purified through the crucible of suffering that renders us like Jesus. God loves all souls, but most especially those who bear sufferings for His sake; their reward will be great in Heaven.

Touching briefly on the tempation that we will not persevere – rest assured that the desire to do God’s will (which is an effect of His grace) is always accompanied by the grace to actually do God’s will. Our Lord said to Sr. Benigna Consolata that those who seek to please God in all things, become His “Benjamin” –  that is, His favourite!

It is also a useful practice, when tempted to despair, to flee to Our Lady, Hope of the Despairing. She cannot fail to succour us, but we must have great confidence in her.

Peace to men of good-will!