"I desire that the Feast of Mercy
be a
refuge and a shelter for all souls,
especially poor sinners."
You can still receive the promises of Christ.
"It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church, will be called Divine Mercy Sunday." - Pope John Paul II, Canonization of St. Faustina
"Divine Mercy! This is the Easter gift that the Church receives from the risen Christ and offers to humanity.'' JPII, 2001
You can do everything required without participating in any special observance. Some priests aren't 'into' the Feast of Mercy. Some do not understand why Blessed John Paul II instituted the feast in the first place. Some think it is just a private revelation and that the Second Sunday of Easter should be left alone. Some even associate it with post-V-II-Novus-Ordo-hocus-pocus. Too bad.
Before I knew of the devotion, before I was reconciled to the Church through the sacrament of penance, I experienced the Divine Mercy on the Second Sunday of Easter - at that time the devotion was not well known. It was a remarkable grace... I've mentioned it in the past, in bits and pieces, but maybe some day I'll pull it all together into one post. Maybe not.
"The first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be acts of mercy....I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me." (Diary, 742)
To be merciful to others... there are three ways to do it:
The first: an act of mercy - of whatever kind.This then is essentially what is required to obtain the Great Pardon on the Feast of Divine Mercy - a refuge for sinners:
The second: a word of mercy, when one cannot carry out a work of mercy.
The third: prayer - when we cannot show mercy by deeds or words - we can always do so by prayer. Prayer reaches out even there where we cannot reach out physically.
"The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.... Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy." (699) Read more here.You can do it.
This morning a friend forward this 'conversion' tale by Fr. Roger Landry (a wonderful priest) on his 'education' regarding Divine Mercy ...
ReplyDeleteMy Conversion to Divine Mercy
http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/2013/04/fr-landry-conversion-to-divine-mercy-devotion/
I would love to hear your Divine Mercy story. Please do write about it!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was going through my "the world is going to end in a ball of fire any day now" phase I was attending daily mass and one day found a little pamphlet on Divine Mercy on a table. I recognized the picture because my grandmother had it on her wall when I was little. I read in that pamphlet that Jesus promised that, "when punishment for sins come upon the earth...I will protect the cities and homes where this picture is set up and honored." Good enough for me! What a comfort and support the Divine Mercy message was for me all those years ago.
When I was 21 I met my favorite metal band at a concert and was kind of smoochy with their lead singer (they are now known as The Trans-Siberian Orchestra). I remember coming home from one of their concerts and kneeling before that picture and saying, "Look, I'd rather be alone than be with someone who asks me to sin against you." Divine Mercy protected me during my stupid teenage years in so many ways. Even though he took me up on that whole "being alone" offer, because that is what I am, I'm glad I didn't end up married to someone who would ask me to compromise my faith. It's hard enough to live it at it is!
Terry, what is an example of an "act of mercy", and what is the difference between that and an act if charity?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I get the whole idea of protection for homes and the like that have the image of Divine Mercy, but wouldn't this be like saying the homes that DON'T have it won't be spared, even though it's a private revelation?
An act of mercy is an act of charity too I geuss. This evening I told the grocery clerk with a cold that I hope she would feel better soon - perhaps that was an act of mercy? Then I told her to hurry up and give me my change. Haha! Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about homes that will be spared or not.
So just not being a jerk, being patient, being forgiving out of love for Jesus counts?
ReplyDeleteI have also been praying my chaplet with certain friends in mine each night, but especially that particular friend I mentioned to you.
When I was depressed and anxious years ago before I knew my faith well I used to go to a local shrine and there was always a nun there who smiled from ear to ear. I never spoke to her, but her smile gave me more hope than anything I was trying to do for myself. She had mercy on me without even knowing it. I think anything you do to be kind and comfort your fellow man, ESPECIALLY the little stuff, counts. Not being a jerk is a BIG sacrifice for me. You can always look up the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. You could dedicate a lifetime to doing even one of those.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean to get you wound up about the picture. It's not meant to be a superstitious protective amulet. I do think God extends special favors to those who honor him, and that is what any representation of God is supposed to lead us to.
God asks us to trust him. What a comforting demand this has been for me in my troubles this week!
ck, thanks.
DeleteFunny how God works - I had the opportunity last night to offer comfort to more than one friend, and one of them I was even able to break through some hardness of heart and have her consider coming back to the Church. I'll be praying for them today.