Dives in Misericordia: “He Who Sees Me Sees the Father” (4, continued)

Chapter 4 of “Dives in Misericordia” (“Rich in Mercy”) is entitled “The Concept of ‘Mercy’ in the Old Testament.” It continues as follows:

“4. . . . Thus, in deeds and in words, the Lord revealed His mercy from the very beginnings of the people which He chose for Himself; and, in the course of its history, this people continually entrusted itself, both when stricken with misfortune and when it became aware of its sin, to the God of mercies. All the subtleties of love become manifest in the Lord’s mercy towards those who are His own: He is their Father,⁴⁷ for Israel is His firstborn son⁴⁸; the Lord is also the bridegroom of her whose new name the prophet proclaims: Ruhamah, ‘Beloved’ or ‘she has obtained pity.’⁴⁹”

47. Cf. Isaiah 63:16.
48. Cf. Exodus 4:22.
49. Cf. Hosea 2:3

 

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Pope John Paul II: “Dives in Misericordia”