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THE SEASON OF MERCY (a reflection by Willy Effinger)
Dear friends in Christ Jesus what a difference a few weeks make! Lent is a time of fasting, of self-denial, of recollection and prayer, a time to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter as pure, clean temples of God.
During Holy Week, we recall the triumphant entry of Jesus into the Holy City. With loud cries they greeted Him: "Hosanna to our King!" How do we greet Him? Are we even there to welcome Him? Are we willing to attend the remembrance of His Last Supper? Or will we have an excuse like so many others?
What a difference a few hours made! From the hundreds that were praising Him as He entered the city, only a dozen remained to share in the Last Supper and even one of those had already lost his faith!
What an awesome mystery took place that evening when Jesus spoke the words: "Take and eat this is My Body ... Take and drink this is My Blood shed for you so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of Me." This awesome mystery continues to take place to this day at every Holy Mass. We should partake as often as possible for our own good as insurance for our future. That night, when Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist, He also gave us the gift of Holy Orders, the priesthood. Jesus knew that He had to leave us as a human person, so He left us Himself as a Sacrificial Lamb in the Eucharist and gave His representatives the power to change bread and wine into His precious Body and Blood, so that He might continue to nourish His people.
We recall the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus knelt to pray; He felt so alone and forsaken, while His disciples slept. He knew that He would be asked to drink the bitter cup. In His humanity, He asked the Father to take the cup from Him but He fully accepted His Father's will for the sake of our redemption! The Message of Mercy was about to blossom. There were three who were to be crucified together that day. We can learn some important lessons from these three, for even at the hour of His death, Jesus wanted to teach us about the depth of His great mercy.
Let us take a closer look at these three crosses. On the Cross in the middle, the one on which died the Saviour of the world, were nailed all the sins of humanity past, present and future. Jesus Christ DIED FOR SIN on the CROSS OF REDEMPTION. The Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus ran down the Cross and soaked the earth, justifying the whole globe. In His dying breath, Jesus said: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Even today, these words travel on and on throughout the whole universe, touching every soul: "Father, forgive them ..."
Now, let me direct you to the cross of the repentant thief. Remember his words as recorded in Luke 23:40: "Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner. Remember me when You come into Your Kingdom." Recall the Lord's answer: "I promise you that today you will be with Me in Paradise." This cross became an instrument of reconciliation. With this cross, Jesus signed the new covenant of God's great mercy with sinners who repent. So, the repentant thief DIED TO SIN on the CROSS OF RECONCILIATION.
In order to complete this picture, we need to also look at the other thief who said: "Aren't You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!" (Luke 23:39) This man then DIED IN SIN on the CROSS OF REBELLION.
So, you might ask, how does this involve us? Well, we too must make choices. As Christians, we should remove ourselves far away from the Cross of Rebellion. We must learn to move through the Cross of Reconciliation to be fed by the Blood of the Lamb and cleansed by the Water, so that we can arrive at the Cross of Redemption. Now, if we can take that extra step and embrace that Cross, we can also blossom in His mercy!
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In 1995, I wrote a poem that ties in rather nicely to this topic.
The Cross
Once there was a Cross of olive wood, on which was sacrified the Lamb of God. His Blood so dear was running down the tree, to pay our ransom and to set us free. It soaked the ground and filled the earth divine until one day, beside the Cross, there grew a vine. It loved the Cross, for Life sprang from its source; it grew and twisted, even hugged the Cross so coarse. The vine enjoyed its life in the shadow of the Tree; it grew strong, it bore fruit and it became free. It decided it needed not the Cross' support in time - the Cross was forgotten, decayed then a new vine. This vine became different as it flourished in the sun; its growth quickly entangled and choked the former one. It formed a crown of thorns around the vine of old - the end of its growth as its branches grew cold. The vine of old remembered the Cross and the Crown. Just ask for forgiveness please do not frown.
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The only way that we can truly appreciate Easter is knowing that there is a resurrection that there is a life everlasting without pain and without rain! But many have not listened to the messages of the Cross and the Resurrection. So Jesus, in His great mercy, put an urgent plea into Saint Faustina's heart which she wrote about in Diary entry 280: "Jesus commanded me to celebrate the Feast of God's Mercy on the first Sunday after Easter ..." This day which was proclaimed a universal feast for the Church by the late Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000 has become the liturgical climax of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.
What a difference a few days can make! Will you be participating to the fullest in the graces of Divine Mercy Sunday? The promises that our Lord has attached to this day, according to the writings of Saint Faustina, are not of this world indeed, they are truly heavenly! He promised us complete forgiveness of our sins and remission of all punishment if we approach Him with a sincere and contrite heart. The conditions for the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment: ● trust in God's mercy ● active love of neighbour (through prayer, word and deed) ● be in the state of grace (Confession within a week of Divine Mercy Sunday) ● worthy reception of Holy Communion on that day
This is like an open invitation for all to come to the wedding feast make sure you are wearing the proper garment! I invite you to turn to the Lord with trust and become an instrument of His mercy. Even when Divine Mercy Sunday has passed, Jesus urges us all to live and to breathe mercy. He wants us to forgive over and over and over again. He wants us to try to live a life of holiness, to become as merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful!
DOUBT NO LONGER, BUT BELIEVE. ALLELUIA!
TRUST IN HIM EVEN MORE!
"Peace be with you."
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