By falling we have the chance to plumb the mysteries of the divine mercy. Indeed our sin is a happy fault, as the deacon sings during the Easter vigil: 0 felix culpal But this is sin admitted, accepted and confessed, not sin hidden, denied and forced underground. God does not forgive grudgingly; showing mercy is an act continuous with the love in which we were created. Julian (of Norwich) has her own way of describing God’s mercy:
“I see that mercy is a sweet, gracious working in love, mingled with plenteous pity. Mercy works by preserving us and mercy works by turning all things to our good. In love, mercy allows us to fail somewhat, and in failing we fall, and in falling we die. For death is inevitable since we lack the sight and experience of God who is [the source] of our life. Our failing is full of fear; our falling marked by sin and our dying is sorrowful. Yet, in all this, the sweet eye of pity departs from us and the working of mercy never ceases.”
Michael Casey
Toward God, pp. 151-152.
