"In the afterglow of Divine Mercy Sunday it seems
opportune to make a few observations about the glorious mercy of our
Lord. As a prelude we ought to set aside some mistaken notions of mercy.
"We live in times in which mercy, like so many other things, has become a detached concept in people's minds,separated from the things that really help us to understand it. For indeed, mercy makes sense and is necessary because we are sinners in desperate shape. Yet many today think it unkind and unmerciful to speak of sin and to refer to people sinners. Many think that mercy is a declaration that God doesn't really care about sin, or that sin is not a relevant concept. Too many conceive of mercy as God's approval of what they are doing. But of course, if God did approve of everything we do, including our sin, there would be no need for mercy. Mercy exists and is glorious because God does not approve of our sin; he sees how it harms us and others and extends a merciful call to return to him.
"One of the chief errors of our time is the proclamation of God's mercy without any reference to repentance. But repentance is the key that unlocks the floodgates of mercy. It is through repentance that we come to see our sin and the harm it has caused us and others.. . ."
"We live in times in which mercy, like so many other things, has become a detached concept in people's minds,separated from the things that really help us to understand it. For indeed, mercy makes sense and is necessary because we are sinners in desperate shape. Yet many today think it unkind and unmerciful to speak of sin and to refer to people sinners. Many think that mercy is a declaration that God doesn't really care about sin, or that sin is not a relevant concept. Too many conceive of mercy as God's approval of what they are doing. But of course, if God did approve of everything we do, including our sin, there would be no need for mercy. Mercy exists and is glorious because God does not approve of our sin; he sees how it harms us and others and extends a merciful call to return to him.
"One of the chief errors of our time is the proclamation of God's mercy without any reference to repentance. But repentance is the key that unlocks the floodgates of mercy. It is through repentance that we come to see our sin and the harm it has caused us and others.. . ."
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on our need for Divine Mercy and on how the Lord's mercy for us cost Him dearly.
To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: Perfect and Astonishing Divine Mercy (19 APR 20)
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