Do not be absorbed in your misery – you are still too weak to speak of it – but, rather; gaze on My Heart filled with goodness, and be imbued with My sentiments. Strive for meekness and humility; be merciful to others, as I am to you; and, when you feel your strength failing, if you come to the fountain of mercy to fortify your soul, you will not grow weary on your journey–Faustina’s diary(1485)
There is no end to God’s mercy; it is given to those who have committed acts that are unforgivable. Mercy is something that can’t be earned, either from God, or for that matter from other human beings. It can’t be demanded, nor presumed, but it can be asked for and embraced when it is offered. If mercy is not accepted, there is nothing that can be done. However, when one truly understands the need for mercy, it is found not to be easy to receive either, since it strips away all of our good reasons for doing what is unforgivable. Yet love, agape, forgives that which should not be forgiven from a human standpoint. Human justice is seldom loving, but exact and demanding. Which has its place, yet mercy trumps justice, or perhaps God’s mercy is God’s justice. Mercy calls us out of ourselves. Our self absorption and self pity, as well as our angry defenses that keep us imprisoned in our own inner hell. To sin against another human being, made in the image and likeness of God is an act of sacrilege. Hence our need for mercy and compassion, as well as empathy…our connection with others, is in fact our need for mercy as well. Self knowledge is the great leveler.
Br. Mark Dohle, OCSO
Holy Spirit Monastery
