Divine mercy is–
Hopeful.
Overflowing.
Available.
Infinite.
Free.
I am a pilgrim of mercy.
What was the happiest day of Pope John Paul II's life? We could sift through his incredible life, come up with a list of possibilities, debate their merits and guess, but we don't have to. Because on April 30, the year 2000, Pope John Paul II stood in St. Peter's Square before pilgrims from around the world and spoke these words. "This is the happiest day of my life." That was the day he canonized Sister Faustina. It was the first canonization of the new millennium. John Paul II hoped it would usher in a new era of mercy and hope for everyone, everywhere. It was also the moment he established Divine Mercy Sunday as a universal feast for the church. It has become just one of the many lasting legacies of his extraordinary life and papacy. John Paul II had a special devotion to divine mercy throughout his life and a special affection for Sister Faustina, who shared his Polish heritage. All this was born from his innate conviction that there is nothing that humanity needs more than divine mercy.
Are these just words? Well, let's consider them from two perspectives. First, from the perspective of human need. What are our needs? Food, water, shelter, clothing, sleep, health, safety, relationships, emotional support, community, intellectual stimulation, meaning, purpose, spiritual nourishment, and so much more. But one of the greatest saints in the history of the world is saying, "More than all of that, more than the air we breathe, we need mercy." We could spend the rest of our lives meditating on that single idea. Now let's consider the second perspective. Did John Paul II align his life with his words? There is nothing that humanity needs more than divine mercy. Mehmet Ali Ağca was born in eastern Turkey. He became a petty criminal, gang member, and a smuggler as a teenager. His crimes grew more serious with each passing year. And on Friday, the 1st of February, 1979, the 21-year-old murdered the editor of a major Turkish newspaper. Ağca was captured and sentenced to life in prison, but escaped six months into his sentence. In the spring of 1981, Ann Odre, a 61-year-old hairdresser from Buffalo, used her life savings to travel to Italy on pilgrimage. On the 13th of May, she was in St. Peter's Square when Ağca attempted to assassinate Pope Jean-Paul II. The terrorists fired four shots at the Pope. One bullet struck the Pope in the hand, a second in his abdomen, and a third in the arm. He was rushed to the Jamali Hospital in Rome. The fourth bullet hit Anne Audrey in the chest. She was in critical condition when she arrived at Santos spiritual hospital in Rome.
The Pope and Anne both miraculously survived. Four days later, lying in his hospital bed, Pope John Paul II gave a radio address to the world and began with these words. "I pray for the brother who struck me, whom I have sincerely forgiven. United to Christ, priest and victim, I offer my sufferings for the church and for the world." Two years later, Pope John Paul II visited his assailant in prison and embraced him in person. His forgiveness and mercy shocked and inspired the world. It brought divine mercy alive for all the world to see. The phrase, just words, doesn't apply to any aspect of Pope John Paul II's life. He was a man of towering integrity, unshakable honor, unwavering virtue, a beacon of moral excellence, and his enthusiasm to spread the faith was contagious. It was his dream that the whole world would come to know God's endless mercy. Today, you are the fulfillment of his dream.
Why was the day he instituted divine mercy Sunday, the happiest day of Pope John Paul II's life? Because he was intimately and painfully aware of the world's need for mercy. And he had a burning desire to share God's mercy with the world. Take a few minutes in the classroom of silence today and imagine what words of encouragement Saint John Paul II would speak to you as you prepare to consecrate yourself to divine mercy. Saint John Paul II, pray for us. Trust, surrender, believe, receive.
Did you know there are 57 amazing moments of engagement during the Mass? Did you know each and every one of them connects with your daily life and teaches us something about the genius of Catholicism? Did you know this year we will finish our extraordinary program about the Mass so that everyone can learn about these 57 moments of engagement in the Mass? If you are a Dynamic Catholic Ambassador, thank you. And this is what we are spending your money on this year. If you are not, I invite you today to become a Dynamic Catholic Ambassador. Choose your welcome gift and help us eradicate Mass is boring from the Catholic vernacular. Click the button below 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 bring your biggest fear to Jesus in prayer.
