Divine mercy is–
A promise.
Loving.
Infinite.
Dynamic.
Peaceful.
I am a pilgrim of mercy.
When we're trying to understand something, it's natural for us to ask, what is that? But in the case of divine attributes, we get a more complete understanding by asking, who is that? What is mercy was yesterday's question. And the answer, mercy is love reaching out to misery. Today's question, who is mercy? And the answer? God. And more specifically, Jesus. "Jesus Christ is the face of the Father's mercy," Pope Francis reminds us. And John Paul II observed, "In Christ and through Christ, God becomes especially visible in His mercy. He himself, in a certain sense, is mercy." Jesus is mercy. Jesus is the manifestation of God's redemptive love. He is God's mercy manifested for men, women, and children to experience and receive. And His mercy fills us with joy. This mercy is essential if we are going to learn to love each other again. There is no love without mercy and forgiveness. Without mercy and forgiveness, any relationship will fail. Human relationships simply cannot survive without mercy and forgiveness. He came to teach us how to love. He taught us to love one another as He has loved us. Mercy is love reaching out to misery. Who would describe you as merciful? Jesus is mercy. Do your actions remind others of Jesus?
When I was 15, I was challenged to read the four gospels for 15 minutes a day over and over again for a whole year. Just the gospels. I learned so much about Jesus that year. It also gave me a great love for these books in the Bible. As Catholics, we experienced the Bible so many times throughout the course of our lives. The readings at Mass on Sunday, attending weddings and baptisms, funerals, and feast days, all expose us to God's message to humanity in the Scriptures. So I'm always looking for new and fresh ways to experience the Scriptures. Our journey together over these 33 days provides a very specific opportunity to experience the gospels in a new way. Over the next few days, take 15 minutes, pick up your Bible, find a quiet place, get comfortable, take a deep breath, and start reading the Gospel of Matthew. And every time you read the name of Jesus, replace it with mercy. And listen to what the phrase or passage says to you. I think you will find it to be a profound and powerful experience. Here's a sampling of references to Jesus from the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew, an account of the genealogy of mercy, the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Think about that. The account of the genealogy of mercy. Wow. how beautiful is that? The Messiah brings redemption and salvation to humanity. Redemption and salvation are by their very nature acts of astounding mercy. And Jacob, the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom mercy was born, who is called the Messiah. Again, that's beautiful. Mother of Mercy is one of the church's official names for Mary because of her unique role in salvation history. Mary's role as mother makes her the embodiment of God's loving compassion toward humanity. Jesus is mercy incarnate. Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him mercy, for he will save his people from their sins. Mercy has saved us from our sins. Forgiveness is at the core of Christian belief. Forgiveness and salvation go hand in hand. Do you need to forgive somebody? I know I do.
I'm really struggling to forgive a couple of people in my life right now. And this is a direct in my face reminder of that. But maybe your need is to be forgiven or to accept forgiveness. And perhaps you need to forgive yourself. From that time on, mercy began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." It is merciful to invite people to turn back to God. Repentance unlocks mercy. It opens the door of our hearts to mercy. Mercy is always an invitation to a better life. In large ways and small ways, God's mercy stirs the human heart, nudging it toward repentance. Mercy originates with God, full of compassion. He reaches out to us, freely offering forgiveness. Jesus is mercy. Jesus is divine mercy. This pilgrimage, this 33-day journey, is an invitation to get to know Jesus in new ways. There's a profound connection between healing and mercy.
The people I encounter each day are all in need of healing. I need healing. The type of healing we may need may be different. Physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, psychological. But there is one source of healing for us all, Jesus Christ, the divine mercy. He wants to heal us. He wants to teach us to love again. He wants to bathe us in His mercy, convince us of His mercy, fill us with His mercy, and send us out into the world as pilgrims of mercy. Trust, surrender, believe, receive. How many people do you know who have stopped going to mass? It's sad, isn't it? So many people don't go to mass anymore. And they aren't strangers. It's our family and friends very often. And the tragic part, they have no idea what they're missing out on. We want to change that at Dynamic Catholic.
This year, we are focused on finishing a groundbreaking learning system that will transform the way people experience the mass forever. And we need your help to make this dream a reality. So please click the button below, choose your welcome gifts, and become a Dynamic Catholic Ambassador today. If you're already an Ambassador, increase your gift today, and we will send you these exciting new gifts too. Have a great day and remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.
Eternal God.
In whom mercy is endless.
And the treasury of compassion inexhaustible.
Look kindly upon us.
And increase your mercy in us.
That in difficult moments we might not despair.
Nor become despondent.
But with great confidence.
Submit ourselves to your holy will.
Which is love and mercy itself.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
See you tomorrow.
Thank you, Ambassadors.
You are changing the world. Have a great day. Have a great day.
Have a great day!
Hey, Ralph. One of the best ways to be a pilgrim of mercy is to collaborate with God to create holy moments. So I figured while we have a couple of minutes, you could inspire our audience. So tell me, what is today's Holy Moment Challenge?
It is, be patient with the person who annoys you the most today.
