Heart of Jesus, Patient and Full of Mercy
Patience is a wonderful attribute of God. People disobey God and He is silent. They swear - He is silent.
They forget Him as if He were not existing - He is silent. Some people are even worse off this patience of God, because it gives the impression that sin is not a big deal and that you cannot care for God's glory.
God's patience with people is so inexhaustible that it would seem that God only created people to do this, to have the opportunity to be patience and mercy towards them.
What unspeakable patience Jesus showed in his earthly life! For three years, His apostles caused him a lot of trouble. Jesus endured everything and corrected them with fatherly kindness. Even when Judas greeted him with a treacherous kiss, Jesus called him a friend.
When crowds surrounded Jesus all day, leaving him no time to rest, he did not show the slightest sign of impatience.
His superhuman patience during the passion on Golgotha converted a pagan centurion. Not a word of indignation or complaint came out of his mouth.
In the Old Testament we read a remarkably interesting story about the prophet Jonah. He accused God of being too patient and merciful towards sinners. To stop God's intentions, Jonah does not go to Nineveh to convert its inhabitants. He wants God to punish and destroy them. But then, forced by God, he preaches penance to the Ninevites; they convert, and God forgives them. Then, instead of rejoicing, the unfortunate prophet is angry. In turn, God shows patience and mercy towards Jonah. With gentle words, he opens his eyes and prompts him to change his hostile attitude towards the Ninevites.
In the New Testament, the most touching teaching about God's mercy is the parable of Christ about the prodigal son. Commenting on this parable, the Holy Father John Paul II in the encyclical "Dives in misericordia" says that the word "mercy" never appeared in it. However, it was extremely deeply inscribed in the content of the parable itself. Note that Christ told many parables. He gave some of them in such a nutshell that it was not easy to understand them and the apostles asked Him for clarification. He did this on purpose, so that disciples, after going home, would still think about it and discuss what Jews used to do. However, the parable of the prodigal son and his merciful father was told in such detail that everyone understood it immediately and no one had to ask Him for clarification. You can see how much the Savior was anxious that everyone understood it well.
Jesus took pity on all human misery - numerous healings of various illnesses testify to this. However, He felt the occurrence of moral misery. "For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost" (cf. Lk 19: 10). Jesus accepts Magdalena, forgives her sins, which causes astonishment and mischief to the Pharisees. He also defends the adulterous woman by embarrassing those who wanted to stone her.
When the Samaritan woman refused to give him water, Jesus ignored her rudeness, instructed her and enlightened her by introducing himself as the Messiah. When Saint Peter asked him how many times to forgive when someone hurts him; even seven times? " Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. " (cf. Mt 18:22).
Christ's mercy did not end during his earthly pilgrimage. Having come to His kingdom, the Savior always cares for those who need His mercy.
In the XX Century, in the thirties, the Lord Jesus appeared to Sister Faustina Kowalska from the congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. In frequent visits, he told her about his always alive and boundless love and mercy, wanting to convince modern people that he still eagerly wanted the salvation of all, even the greatest sinner. He recommended prayer in their intention and repeating the act of trust: "Jesus, I trust in You".
Let us end this reflection with the prayer of Saint Faustina:
O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners.
O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners.
O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners.
O Jesus be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood.
O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equaled.
Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted.
Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages. (Diary 72)
Until Tomorrow
fr. george