The last several Sundays we have heard messages from the Gospels that, if we were paying attention, should have shocked us.
Consider the parable of the Prodigal Son (4th Sunday of Lent, Cycle C). This younger son was arrogant, avaricious, and hedonistic. His behavior at the beginning might, these days, have been diagnosed as classic narcissism. But when he is out of money, his “friends” disappear, and he hits bottom, not only feeding swine (a non-kosher animal) but actually wanting to eat their food. I honestly think that when he returns home he’s still a narcissist—I think the speech of apology is actually a rehearsed, set piece designed to get what he wants from his father (again). This is the game of all narcissists. Yet the father runs to him, clothes him, grants him his lost authority (the ring), and holds a banquet for him. The older son, of course, is angry: are his “good works” worthless? Yet both are welcomed. What kind of God would this be?? What kind of mercy is this?? Is forgiveness that freely offered—even to us??
The woman caught in adultery (5th Sunday of Lent, Cycle C) is in an even worse condition—caught in the act (so the authorities say) of a sin so horrific that the earliest Church thought it unforgivable. Yet Jesus, without denying her guilt, offers her mercy and forgiveness. I want to offer again the words of St Augustine: Relicti sunt duo, misera et Misericordia (“The two were left alone—the miserable [woman] and Mercy [incarnate”]. What kind of God would this be?? What kind of mercy is this?? Is forgiveness that freely offered—even to us??
Palm Sunday of Cycle C offers us perhaps the most dramatic example of the nature of God: “Father, forgive them...” Really? You’ve been nailed to a cross even without guilt, and you pray mercy and forgiveness for those who shouted for your death? More, you promise Paradise to the “repentant” thief who simply voices a prayer of hope at literally his “11th hour—and 59th second. He is the ONLY person Scripturally guaranteed to be in the Kingdom with the Lord. What kind of God would this be?? What kind of mercy is this?? Is forgiveness that freely offered—even to us??
So we come to Divine Mercy Sunday, and we come face-to-face with Mercy Incarnate. What are His words to us? “Peace be with you. ...Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven them...”
Who thinks anyone else deserves this kind of mercy? Probably no one. But who thinks he/she wants to be able to rely on this kind of mercy? Probably everyone! And this is what Divine Mercy Sunday is all about—the promise and gift of outrageous love, mercy, forgiveness, reconciliation.
Yes, I want this because I need this. “Jesus, I trust in You”—because I have nowhere else to turn.