Divine Mercy: A Precious Gift of God to Us

Last week, we unveiled the crucifix, celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. If Jesus has resurrected, why do we still leave Him hanging on the cross in our churches? Couldn't we have set the cross aside, at least for this Easter Octave?

Again, why did Jesus choose to resurrect with the marks of His wounds still visible? Couldn't He, who has the power to subdue death, also heal Himself of the wounds of crucifixion? The simple truth is that the Crucifix still hanging in our churches and the visible marks of Christ's wounds, also inscribed on our Paschal candles, are a constant reminder of the great mercy of God.

Imagine the agony and ignominy Christ underwent during His passion. Imagine the triple denial from Peter, the rejection He faced from the people He fed, healed, and preached to. Amidst all this, Christ prayed for their forgiveness while still hanging on the cross. This is what Pope St. John Paul II describes as Dives in Misericordia (Rich in Mercy), echoing St. Paul's words in Ephesians 2:4.

In this weekend's gospel reading, Jesus appears to His disciples, who were locked up in a room for fear of the Jews. I'm sure they felt shame and expected reprimand for deserting Him. Instead, Jesus offered them peace and the faculty to forgive sins which some theologians have described as the weakness of God (although in an anthropological sense). The devil calls us by our sins but Jesus calls us by name what a magnanimity gift of God. It actually pointed to His great love and mercy.

As we mark the feast of Divine Mercy this weekend, we're reminded of God's love and mercy, which reached its apex on the cross of Calvary. Pope St. John Paul II wrote, "Christ's Messianic program, the program of mercy, becomes the program of His people, the program of the Church. At its very center is the cross, for it is in the cross that the revelation of merciful love attains its culmination" (Dives in Misericordia no. 8).

St. Augustine emphasized that the cross is not just an instrument of suffering but the means by which divine mercy bridges the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God. God's mercy is limitless and renewed constantly. The book of Lamentations (3:22-23) says, "The steadfastness of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning."

Similarly, the Psalmist sang, "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endures forever." According to Pope St. John Paul 11, “Jesus' Sacred Heart has given us everything: redemption, salvation, and sanctification.”

St. Faustina Kowalska saw coming from this heart that was overflowing with generous love, two rays of light which illuminated the world. ‘The two rays,’ according to what Jesus himself told her, ‘represent the blood and the water’ (Diary, p. 132). The blood recalls the sacrifice of Golgotha and the mystery of the Eucharist; the water, according to the rich symbolism of the Evangelist John, makes us think of Baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 3: 5; 4: 14). Through the mystery of this wounded heart, the restorative tide of God’s merciful love continues to spread over the men and women of our time. Here alone can those who long for true and lasting happiness find its secret.

In addition John Paul noted that Christ has taught us that ‘man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but is also called’ to practice mercy toward others: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy’ (Matthew 5: 7). He also showed us the many paths of mercy, which not only forgives sins but reaches out to all human needs.

May we be inspired by God's endless mercy and love, and strive to share that with others.