The Holy of Mercy

Guest post by: Franci Revel Eckensberger

As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world — mercy triumphed over justice. (Diary of Faustina Kowalska, 1572)

After the Easter Octave, the Alleluias linger in our hearts. The Gospel draws our gaze once again to Christ—not only risen but wounded, and showing His wounds to His disciples. The marks of the Passion remain visible and integral to how He is known in His victory, His love, and His Mercy. The suffering that precedes the Resurrection is made radiant in His form.

Divine Mercy

Jesus as Divine Mercy

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3 Reasons Why I Am Thankful for Divine Mercy Sunday!

On April 30th, 2000 Pope John Paul II officially designated the second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. The designation was in celebration of the canonization of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska—the Polish nun who received the devotion from Jesus! My wife’s Confirmation saint is St. Maria Faustina and in recent years of our marriage I have been more familiar with her teaching by reading the Polish nun’s diary. While I could write for pages about the joys of this feast, I will limit myself to three reasons for why I am grateful for Divine Mercy Sunday.

divine mercy.jpg

Judgment + _____________= Love

I bet you can’t guess blank to fill out the equation. Let me give you a clue: the word is in the title of today’s post. You guessed it—mercy! The Church’s renewed focus on Divine Mercy to start the new millennium gave me a renewed focus as well. I grew up usually thinking about the power of God and His ability to judge us. For whatever reason I viewed God more as a judge and less like a merciful Father. Divine Mercy Sunday is a gift that helps remind me that God, though a judge, is a merciful judge and will give me many chances to correct the mistakes I make.

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