As we rejoice in the first days of Eastertide with all its gladness and joy, we simultaneously find ourselves in the midst of the Divine Mercy Novena: nine days leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter. This is a time to reflect on how the Resurrection bears the message of God’s mercy in the fullest possible way, a time to understand more deeply that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5: 8-10). Mercy is far more than a pious word, a pleasing concept; it is the very life that sustains us.
Perhaps we could say that mercy is love in its highest, purest form. Mercy is God’s forgetfulness of sin, his refusal to allow any obstacle to obstruct his deep desire to be with us. Mercy is an all-powerful cleanser, dissolving every stain that is not of God. Mercy is transformative, for it is his tool to perfect the divine image in every soul that receives him. Mercy is God’s constant repetition of his words of Scripture: “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah 44:22). Return to me, dwell with me, abide with me!
May this upcoming Feast of Divine Mercy bring God’s deepest peace into our souls, as we trust in his promise to save us. May we believe in the power of mercy, the mercy that will carry us to heaven.
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