A Mercy Divine

04-23-2017Weekly ReflectionSeminarian Sam McCarty

On September 1, 1939, the German military invaded Poland and one of the darkest episodes in history ensued – what is now called the Second World War. We are very aware of the atrocities and violence that occurred at that time. Today, merely to mention the Nazi party and what they did evokes horror and revulsion. However, just before this greatdarkness God offered the world a message of hope through a young nun named Sister Faustina. She recounts in herdiary how Jesus appeared to her and asked her to announce a devotion to his mercy, which has today spread across theworld. She writes, “On one occasion, I heard these words: My daughter, tell the whole world about My Inconceivablemercy... I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.”

Jesus’ message is no less important today. Every day we hear news of violence and division. In our own lives weare confronted by our sinfulness and inability to live up to the Gospel call. I don’t need to tell you that we suffer greatly! Yet, as the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins put it, “And for all this, nature is never spent; / There lives the dearest freshnessdeep down things.” God’s mercy is a deeper reality than any darkness; it is an ocean to the drop of our sin and suffering. This should bring us great joy and hope!

What do we need to do in order to receive this mercy? It’s quite simple: ask for it. I can tell you from my ownexperience that every time I have gone to the Lord to beg his mercy, he has answered my prayer. The only problem isthat sometimes I don’t want to ask – I feel like I should be able to figure things out on my own, or I get sick of asking forhelp with the same old struggles. In his first Angelus address, Pope Francis offered these words: “God never ever tires offorgiving us! ...the problem is that we ourselves tire, we do not want to ask, we grow weary of asking for forgiveness.” Jesus delights in having mercy on us, because it is then that he can be our savior. When you ask, be specific: tell Jesuswhy you need mercy, where you need healing, how much you need, when you need it. Be completely confident that hewill give you exactly what you need. The words, “Jesus, I trust in You” are inscribed on every image of Divine Mercy toremind us that we should approach Our Lord as children completely confident that we will be cared for.

Today, the Second Sunday of Easter, is Divine Mercy Sunday, and we remember in particular God’s message ofmercy given through St. Faustina. If you’re interested in the devotion, you can easily find more information online – about the story, about the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, about Jesus’ words to Faustina. Here’s a short prayer that issometimes said along with the Chaplet that I really like. If it resonates with you, say it every day: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy inus, 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. May His mercy abound in your life.

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