“As a gift to humanity, which sometimes seems bewildered and overwhelmed by the power of evil, selfishness, and fear, the Risen Lord offers His love that pardons, reconciles, and reopens hearts to love. It is a love that converts hearts and gives peace. How much the world needs to understand and accept Divine Mercy! …
Jesus, I trust in You, have mercy upon us and upon the whole world.”
From the last message of John Paul II, shared posthumously on Divine Mercy Sunday, 2005
Just three years ago, the Year of Mercy was coming to a close. Yet even now, the Lord continues to extend His mercy to the world, while also warning us that time is short. In today’s readings, Jesus tells His disciples not to fear or be fooled by rumors of the end, but to be prepared. He warns that we will face great persecution but also promises to come to our defense. Although these persecutors “will put some of you to death…” Jesus promises that, “not a hair on your head will be destroyed.” Death has no power over those who turn to the mercy of God. They need not fear His terrible Justice. Instead, for them, “there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.”
From ancient times, we were warned that the Day of Justice would come. Yet we sometimes grow lazy, forgetting to work and persevere as we await the fulfillment of that fearsome promise. We should never forget that time is short.
Jesus’s promise – and His warning – was renewed in a series of messages given to St. Faustina Kowalska about the Divine Mercy. Jesus asked St. Faustina to “tell all souls about this great mercy of mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice is near” (Divine Mercy in My Soul, 965). This time of mercy has been extended so that all sinners would have a chance to turn to the Lord and be saved. The Lord is with us now: in the Eucharist, in the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation, and in Church teachings and Scripture. Jesus so loves us and desires our salvation that He gave us the extraordinary gift of the Divine Mercy messages. Listen to Him; turn to His Mercy. Now is the time.
Comments
Post a Comment