My Mercy
Is Greater Than Your Sins
The Feast of Divine Mercy
"My daughter, know that My Heart is mercy itself" … "My mercy is greater than your sins" … "I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy" 1
Let no one mourn!
forgiveness has risen from the grave
"Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast,
and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry.
Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one mourn
that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave."
2
- St. John Chrysostom -
An Unexpected Peace - Shalom!
Communion Of The Apostles
by Giordano Luca1
Christ's first words to the frightened, cowardly apostles in hiding are "Peace be with you." This is no pious throw-away line, nor a simple greeting. In the biblical Hebrew understanding, peace - shalom - means right relationships. It is not simply about avoiding war and fighting. Going much deeper, shalom signifies harmonious friendship, covenant intimacy, a relationship of trust.
The risen Christ comes to offer the apostles this shalom. Perhaps he greets the apostles with these words to make it clear that he has risen not to issue condemnation and vengeance upon them but to bring them forgiveness and assurance of his friendship…
This scene highlights what may be one of the most unique aspects of Christianity. While a number of modern religious trends focus on man's search for God, Christianity is much more about God's search for us. Just as he did on Easter Sunday, Jesus continuously seeks us out whenever we push him to the side of our lives or run away from him.
Sometimes we may hide from God's call or close doors in our hearts, afraid to let Jesus fully into certain areas of our lives. But he will not let us stay in hiding for long. Sooner or later he will allow us to experience the emptiness, anxiety, and unhappiness that come from a life not centered on him. He will allow us to face our fears, brokenness, and failings.
Jesus wants to pass through the doors and meet us there in the dark crevices of our existence - in our insecurities, our doubts, our weaknesses, and our sins. He wants us to come to terms with what we have done and what we have failed to do. He wants us to face the truth about who we really are.
Yet he comes not to point fingers and condemn. He comes to offer forgiveness, healing, and a new way of life in him. He comes to offer shalom!3
