Divine Mercy Sunday
“Humanity will not find peace until it turns trustfully to Divine Mercy.”
-Christ to St. FaustinaThe Divine Mercy is one of the most popular devotions in the world. A great reminder that the work God starts with us trusting God even when we do not understand.
More than 2,000 years ago at the Last Supper Jesus commanded his apostles to be merciful servants to all people. Mercy is mentioned more than 260 times in the bible.
Less than 100 years ago, Jesus gave St. Faustina, a Polish nun, 14 revelations of love and mercy to share, which she did in her diary – Divine Mercy in My Soul – The Diary of St. Maria Faustina (published in 1981) – considered by the church as one of the greatest books of faith.
It was during Christ’s first revelation to St. Faustina, when He asked for a feast to celebrate His mercy, and this be held the first Sunday after Easter. It was Pope St. John Paul II at the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30th, 2000, that the feast – Divine Mercy Sunday – was declared.
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, as we continue to mourn the Holy Father Pope Francis, we share an excerpt from his first Divine Mercy Sunday as pontiff April 7, 2013:
“Let us … remember Peter: three times he denied Jesus, precisely when he should have been closest to him; and when he hits bottom, he meets the gaze of Jesus who patiently, wordlessly, says to him: “Peter, don’t be afraid of your weakness, trust in Me.” Peter understands, he feels the loving gaze of Jesus and he weeps. How beautiful is this gaze of Jesus – how much tenderness is there! Brothers and sisters, let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God!
“I am always struck when I reread the parable of the merciful Father. … The Father, with patience, love, hope and mercy, had never for a second stopped thinking about [his wayward son], and as soon as he sees him still far off, he runs out to meet him and embraces him with tenderness, the tenderness of God, without a word of reproach. … God is always waiting for us, He never grows tired. Jesus shows us this merciful patience of God so that we can regain confidence and hope – always!
“God’s patience has to call forth in us the courage to return to Him, however many mistakes and sins there may be in our life. … It is there, in the wounds of Jesus, that we are truly secure; there we encounter the boundless love of His heart. Thomas understood this. Saint Bernard goes on to ask: But what can I count on? My own merits? No, “My merit is God’s mercy. I am by no means lacking merits as long as He is rich in mercy. If the mercies of the Lord are manifold, I too will abound in merits.” This is important: the courage to trust in Jesus’ mercy, to trust in His patience, to seek refuge always in the wounds of His love.”
Let us reflect on what Jesus told St. Faustina, “I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me.” (Diary, 742).
