Divine Mercy Sunday

Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. We can be sure that our devotion to Divine Mercy is authentic and pleasing to God when it leads us to works of mercy in our everyday lives. As Our Lord said to St. Faustina, to whom He revealed Himself as Divine Mercy, "I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it." (Divine Mercy in My Soul, #742).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2447) states: "The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. [Isa 58:6-7; Heb 13:3] Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. [Mt 25:31-46] Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God." [Tob 4:5-11; Sir 17:22; Mt 6:2-4]

The Scriptural basis for the corporal works of mercy is, of course, the parable in the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus teaches his disciples about God’s criteria for the Last Judgement (Mt 25:35-42).

Scripture passages that provide a basis for the spiritual works of mercy include:

My brothers, if someone is detected in sin, you who live by the Spirit should gently set him right. (Gal 6:1)

Let the word of Christ, rich as it is, dwell in you. In wisdom made perfect, instruct and admonish one another. (Col 3:16)

Correct those who are confused. (Jude 23)

As a mother comforts her son, so I will comfort you. (Is 66:13)

Help carry one another’s burdens; in that way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2)

Because you are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you. (Col 3:12)

Pray constantly and attentively for all. (Eph 6:18)

As I reflected on the works of mercy earlier today, I thought about how important discretion is in my practice of them. Being discreet will keep me from embarrassing those on the receiving end as well as from being pleased with myself over my kindness to others. Our Merciful Lord told St. Faustina that our deeds of mercy should arise out of love for Him. Such love gives birth to discretion. So does remembering how merciful God is to me. As St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus said, "To me He has shown infinite mercy." Blessed be Jesus, our Divine Mercy!