How fitting that the first week after Easter Sunday is the Sunday of Divine Mercy. First we celebrate Christ’s powerful victory over sin and death, and then we celebrate His powerful mercy. Our call today is to accept and trust in God’s ocean of mercy and then pour it out for others. Divine Mercy means that God helps us when we are in distress: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed” (Ps 34:19). He is with us in our darkest hour: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Ps 23:4). Mercy is healing the wounds of our minds, bodies, and spirits. Mercy is forgiveness of sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Mercy is the eternal life that we hope to receive through faith as a grace.
God’s Divine Mercy dispels fear through the promise of peace. Christ came to His disciples in the upper room with the blessing of peace: “Jesus came…and said, ‘Peace be with you’” (Jn 20:26). He showed them the wounds in His hands and side. Christ’s peace is linked to the Pascal mystery: we believe that Christ suffered and died to save us and has rose to live again.
This week, ask yourself if you are truly willing to receive God’s Divine Mercy. Is there something holding you back from accepting His mercy, either in the form of forgiveness, healing, or trust in His providence? If so, ask God in prayer to help you and talk with a trusted priest who can guide you. It’s important to have this willing reception, because unless we’ve first received Divine Mercy, we aren’t able to give it to others in the form of forgiveness or the corporal or spiritual Works of Mercy. What is the fruit of receiving and giving Divine Mercy? Nothing less than Christ’s peace.
Jesus, I trust in You. Help me to accept and trust in Your Divine Mercy and then pour it out to others.