Day nine of Novena to Bl. Fr. Sopočko

Ninth Day
Page 164 of Fr. Sopočko‘s 3rd Manuscript: “We must distinguish dryness from tepidity, which is a state of infidelity to God, into which the soul falls through its own fault and negligence. This state retains the appearance of piety, but in fact has none; it does not desire perfection, abandons the interior conflict, is unstable in its resolutions, and seeks opportunities for effusions of feeling prompted by self-love, which it never tries to overcome. This is a very dangerous state, for it is one in which the admonitions of conscience go unheeded, and many venial – and sometimes mortal – sins are deliberately committed. Our Lord’s words apply to the tepid: “Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth”. (Rev 3:16)

"Today bring to Me the Souls who have become Lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."

Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.