Love and mercy

SUNDAY OF DIVINE MERCY
April 11, 2021

Love and mercy are at the heart of the mysteries of his passion death and resurrection. After enduring the humiliation of the cross, Jesus’ last words were: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus’ attitude despite the infamy of the cross brought upon Him by a people He came to save, remains one of the greatest inspirational stories imaginable as it is a huge challenge. “Greater love than this no man has shown than to lay down His life for His friends” (John 15:13). After His resurrection, He went in search of His disciples who, either due to fear of the Jews, or as a result of the shame arising from having betrayed their master, hid themselves from the rest of the people. It is the kind of shame that we feel or should when we know that we have betrayed the trust of a loved one. He knew that they were in distress, and that they were greatly troubled as they reflected on all that had happened. He knew what their hearts were yearning for at that time. So he went to bring them peace. These readings are in such perfect correspondence with the feast of today, the Divine Mercy Sunday. “For His love and mercy endures forever”, as we are reminded in Psalm 118. In one of the prefaces of the Mass we read: “In love you created man, in justice you condemned him and in mercy you redeemed him”. As we celebrate the immeasurable love and mercy of God today, we are reminded of the ABC of Divine Mercy, namely: Ask for mercy, Be Merciful, Completely trust in God’s Mercy. While we ponder on this great mystery, we pray: Eternal God in whom mercy is endless, and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair nor become despondent. But with great confidence, submit ourselves to your holy will, which is love and mercy itself. Jesus, I trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you! Amen.