Tag: mercy
Mercy, Conversion and Social Issues
To many people, mercy and conversion may seem like poor tools for solving social problems. Some are tempted to accept ideologies that use force to carry out their programs and impose their vision. Such means sometimes produce what appear to be successes. But these successes are not real. Force and manipulation have nothing to do… Read More ›
Divine Mercy
It is easy to talk about the mercy of God, but difficult to understand the depth of the mystery that we are dealing with. The human understanding of justice has to do with righting of wrongs, bringing the scales back into balance, which of course is impossible. For justice and revenge are first cousins, often… Read More ›
Psalm 148: Praise to him who sits upon the throne
1. Psalm 148 that we have just lifted up to God is a true “canticle of creatures”, a kind of Old Testament Te Deum, a cosmic “alleluia” that involves everyone and everything in divine praise. This is how a contemporary exegete has commented on it: “The Psalmist, calling them by name, puts beings in order…. Read More ›
As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us.
Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man…. Read More ›
Feast of Divine Mercy
O day of eternity, O day so long desired, With thirst and longing, my eyes search you out. Soon love will tear the veil asunder, And you will be my salvation. O day most beautiful, moment incomparable, When for the first time I shall see my God, The Bridegroom of my soul and Lord of… Read More ›
Wisdom is more powerful than anything
There is many a consolation to relieve the torment of a guilty conscience. God is kind and does not let us be tempted beyond our strength. Especially at the beginning of our conversion, he anoints our wounds with the oil of mercy so that the acute nature of our sickness and the difficulty of the… Read More ›
I have found him whom my soul loves
`I found him,’ the soul says, ‘I found him’, though previously he sought and found me like a stray sheep, like a lost coin, and in his mercy anticipated me. He forestalled me, I say, in finding me when I was lost. He anticipated me, though I deserved nothing. He found me astray, he anticipated… Read More ›
Asking for His Mercy
Through the passion and death of Jesus, an infinite ocean of mercy was made available for all of us. But God, who created us free, will not force anything on us, not even His mercy. He must wait for us to turn from our sinfulness and ask: “Ask and it will be given to you… Read More ›
Nations are subject to God and His Law
It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, and to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in Holy Scripture, and… Read More ›
New Day, New Year, New Moment
One year ends, another begins. It is like a fresh morning for many, though deep down it is known to be only pretend. Perhaps each day is in reality a “New Year”, a fresh beginning that slowly wilts as the day comes to an end. Pressures build up, focus can be lost and fatigue can… Read More ›