Ave Maria Meditations
On the second Sunday after Easter we celebrated the Feast of Divine Mercy. Jesus’ great desire has been for us to know and have confidence in His mercy! He chose Saint Faustina and Saint John Paul II to bring this to our attention. “The mercy of God is from everlasting to everlasting upon those that fear Him” (Ps 103: 17). So how shall we define mercy? There are a number of ways: A love that forgives, compassion to an offender, a kindness even when not deserved nor asked for, or even a withholding of a punishment. In a court of law our guilt is punished. In the Sacrament of Confession, our confessed guilt is forgiven! “Although your sins be as scarlet, they shall be (made) white as snow” (Is 1:18).
Something is asked of us though: “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful!” (Lk 6:36). And how are we to show mercy? Well, there are three main ways: by our deeds, by our words, and if either of these are not possible, then by our prayers. Also, every time we pray the Our Father we ask to be forgiven as we forgive others! This forgiveness is an act of the will, not necessarily a feeling. Forgiving is also an act of mercy. A wonderful intercessory prayer is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy given by Jesus through Saint Faustina. It is a powerful prayer for conversions or for the dying. “O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus, I trust in You.”
Our Lady, Mother of Mercy: pray for us and help us to be merciful to others. Ave Maria!
