Divine Mercy

Today the Church is celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday to remind us that first and foremost Our Lord is merciful.  His mercy is so great we are unable to fully comprehend it.  There is no sin Jesus cannot forgive.  We must NEVER be afraid or ashamed to approach Him no matter how great our sin.  Christ suffered and died to forgive our sins, He will not condemn us.  If our sin is great, His mercy is greater.  The suffering in our own lives will be much more bearable and in fact even diminish if we remember this.

Everything we have is a gift from God.  Therefore, there are really only three things we can say to Him that are our own; "I am sorry", "Have mercy on me", and "Thank you".  The Readings today speak about forgiveness, mercy and peace.  In the First Reading the apostles are at peace with one another in communal living.  The Psalm proclaims that, "His mercy endures forever".  In the Second Reading St. John exhorts us to love God and stay out of sin by keeping His commandments.  In the Gospel the Resurrected Lord appears to the apostles and gives them peace, then he follows by giving them the power to forgive sins (Sacrament of Confession).

If we want peace in our lives we must accept God's forgiveness and mercy then in turn forgive and have mercy on one another.  We are called to be merciful because Jesus has mercy on us.  Be patient and merciful this week at your homes and work, with friends and family members.  Through prayer be at peace.  Let all see the love of God is your life.



Pope Benedict's Reginal Coeli