# @plusjames on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/B_JltC2IeXL
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/20819034-plusjames-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/d77bbf56d0.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-04-19T04:56:54.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** James Ramos (@plusjames) — https://gondola.cc/plusjames

## Caption

"Truly love and mercy itself."⁠
•⁠
A friend recently shared that her mom was diagnosed with COVID-19. She battled the sickness in ICU where she  received last rites. My friend stood on prayer, and realize even in the darkness of the diagnosis, she saw God's love palpable in the healthcare workers and that priest. She shared how she knows Jesus enters into our suffering, how Jesus told St. Faustina: "My daughter, suffering will be a sign to you that I am with you." The suffering, it's hard to know what do with it. I struggle with this daily. Still, wonderfully, her mama returned home where she's recovering and starting a long road. ⁠
•⁠
I met this friend once on a retreat many moons ago. Her joy was just as tangible as it was when, some years later on a different continent, I unwittingly tried to ignore her as she walked straight towards me while I headed to the chapel for prayer. Honestly, I hadn't wanted to pray that morning. Things that day weren't going as I'd planned, so I took a longer shower, and took my sweet ol' time.⁠
•⁠
I wore sandals because I was lazy, and about halfway walking through gravel, I regretted my laziness. I kept my head down, and made a bee line for the chapel. The gravel gathered in the dip of my sandal's sole. It hurt. ⁠
•⁠
Then I heard my name echo in the quiet courtyard of the monastery. "Great, someone's calling me out," I thought, so I ignored it. "They're just making fun of me..."⁠
"JAMES." Louder this time. I pretended to focus on shaking my slipper. It's another James, probably...⁠
"JAMES!" I swear a cock crowed in the mountains somewhere.⁠
I finally looked up and saw such a sweet, friendly face rushing towards me.⁠
I admit, I forgot Sarah's name. I was so overwhelmed and glad and happy and thrilled and gobsmacked.⁠
"LOUISIANA!" was all I could muster to say. ⁠
"It's SARAH." ⁠
"SARAH!" I nearly screamed and we exchanged a giant hug (remember those?). ⁠
I like to say Louisiana follows me, but usually it's just the Lord Almighty reminding me what's true and real. Community surprises.⁠
"Hold onto Hope," writes princessofpeace1. "Hold onto Him. His will is truly love and mercy itself." #divinemercysunday 
#throughfire

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## Tags

divinemercysunday, throughfire

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