The Scandal of God's Mercy!
“Let's not tell people too much about God's Mercy, because they will start sinning" – we hear many times. It amazes me. Who once feels how many sins, filth and betrayals have been forgiven; who experienced that infinite mercy took the baggage of fear, despair and guilt from the shoulders, will never cease to respond with love to God's Mercy, strive for full union with the one who gives new life.
No wonder that it is difficult for us, people raised by the method of punishments and rewards, functioning in the atmosphere of "carrot and stick", deserving someone's love and acceptance, to understand the logic of God's mercy. "The scandal of God's Mercy" shocked us. We are outraged by the possibility that the greatest sinner, when turns to God's mercy, even just before his/herdeath, can so easily obtain a passport to heaven. Yet Jesus himself gave it to the thief on the cross. It was enough that he whispered: "Remember me, a sinner" to hear: "TODAY you will be with me in Paradise".
Who was this man sentenced to death, what was his past criminal life?! Jesus forgot everything in a second and handed him his passport to heaven. Without enumerating sins and commandments that he did not follow. - And it wasn't Jesus of the Mount of Eight Beatitudes - relaxed, rested. It was Jesus of Calvary. Tortured, suffocating. It was enough for this man to notice God next to him on the cross. His "Jesus, remember me!" was crucial. In one moment, he was inundated with the unconditional love of Christ.
No wonder we have such a problem with God's mercy, since even the confessor of Saint Faustina Blessed Fr. Michael Sopoćko had it. After the meetings with Sister Faustina, he sincerely wrote: "I did not understand and could not agree that God's mercy is the highest attribute of the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier. It was only necessary to have a simple, holy soul, closely united with God, who - I believe - inspired by God - told me about it and stimulated me to study, research and reflect on it." It took time, prayer and wisdom that Fr. Sopoćko was drawn by the power of God's mercy and dedicated his life to spread the Devotion to the Divine Mercy until the end despite the suffering.
Jesus crosses all lines! He takes the criminal with him to paradise and greeted the traitors by "Peace to you".
When Jesus stood before the apostles for the first time after his resurrection, he began with the words: "Peace be with you". He did not hold them accountable for running away from the cross, he did not reproach them for treason. He didn't even mention it. He brought peace and security to the disciples. And miracles began to happen in their lives. Slowly they stopped running away from each other, from people. They stopped being afraid. Their complexes were over. They felt accepted, believed that they were loved by the Risen One, that He needed them.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george