THE TEACHINGS OF THE HOLY FATHER SAINT JOHN PAUL II – part IV
PERFORMING MERCY
An important field of showing God's mercy are the acts of mercy, through which a person confirms that he not only needs mercy but is ready to show mercy towards others (DM 14). By performing the works of mercy resulting from the experience of God's mercy, a Christian learns the hidden capacity of sharing love. John Paul II emphasizes in the Encyclical Dives in Misericordia that man is capable of knowing God's merciful love, as long as he is able to show mercy to others.
Merciful love is a force that unites and lifts people in mutual relationships, transforming the recipient and giver. Crucified Christ is the model of this love, who gave himself without limit unto death (Mt 25: 34–40): “Even in the cases in which everything would seem to indicate that only one party is giving and offering, and the other only receiving and taking (for example, in the case of a physician giving treatment, a teacher teaching, parents supporting and bringing up their children, a benefactor helping the needy), in reality the one who gives is always also a beneficiary. In any case, he too can easily find himself in the position of the one who receives, who obtains a benefit, who experiences merciful love; he too can find himself the object of mercy.” (DM 14)
By looking at the example of Christ, the Christian continually purifies his own works of mercy, that they may always be inspired by the experience of giving love. Only then do it become an act of mercy that opens up to God and reveals the true dignity of a person capable of sharing love.
The way of giving love, which Christ showed in the Cross, is therefore not an act or a one-sided process, but demands reciprocity with God and with human. Merciful love also compensates for the differences that arise between a person giving and receiving good. Therefore, for John Paul II, mercy is a complement of justice: “Mercy that is truly Christian is also, in a certain sense, the most perfect incarnation of "equality" between people, and therefore also the most perfect incarnation of justice as well, insofar as justice aims at the same result in its own sphere.”(DM 14). Mercy is an essential element shaping human relations in a spirit of respect for human dignity and discovery of his ability to do good.
The apostolate of mercy in the dimension of acts of mercy must always revoke to this fundamental experience of love in Christ, that mercy it has not become philanthropy or has not been replaced by social justice: “For this reason, the Church must consider it one of her principal duties-at every stage of history and especially in our modern age-to proclaim and to introduce into life the mystery of mercy, supremely revealed in Jesus Christ”(DM 14). The consequence of professing faith in the God of mercy is praying for mercy.
PRAYER FOR MERCY
Prayer for mercy arising from the experience of God's mercy in life and in performing works of mercy is, as John Paul II says, fundamental right and duty of the Church: “The Church proclaims the truth of God's mercy revealed in the crucified and risen Christ, and she professes it in various ways. Furthermore, she seeks to practice mercy towards people through people, and she sees in this an indispensable condition for solicitude for a better and "more human" world, today and tomorrow. However, at no time and in no historical period - especially at a moment as critical as our own - can the Church forget the prayer that is a cry for the mercy of God amid the many forms of evil which weigh upon humanity and threaten it. Precisely this is the fundamental right and duty of the Church in Christ Jesus, her right and duty towards God and towards humanity”. (DM 15).
In the face of the secularization of life, departing from God and life "as if God did not exist", the Church is obliged to pray for mercy as a sign of hope for every person. Because of the increasing distance of man from God, to the extent that he is unable to utter the word "mercy" and open himself to God's action, the Church should say this word on his behalf. A belief in a need of prayers for mercy led the Holy Father to formulate the act of entrustment of the world to God's mercy. It is the fruit of the Pope's live, his profound faith, his reflection on the mystery of mercy and great love for people who have lost God and the meaning of their life.
The prayer for mercy is directed to God the Father of mercy through the mediation of the Son of God who brought mercy to the world through his death and resurrection. John Paul II, understanding the needs of the present day, asks for mercy for the whole world: “How much today's world needs mercy! On all continents, a cry seems to rise from the depths of human suffering for mercy ". Mercy is this great opportunity to renew the human heart touched by sin.
The glorification of God's mercy is accomplished in Jesus Christ, who fully reveals the mystery of his Father. Jesus glorifies the Father with all his life: work, prayers, teaching and obedience to His will until death on the cross and resurrection. In this way, He teaches how to recognize the presence of God in all the events of life, in joys and sorrows, and even in terrible suffering and in death, carrying out God's commandments, which are fulfilled in the commandment of love.
The glorification of God finds its fulfillment in love: “This confession, which expresses trust in God's all-powerful love, is especially needed in our time, when man experiences confusion in the face of multiple manifestations of evil. The cry for God's mercy must come from our hearts, full of suffering, anxiety and doubt, seeking a reliable source of hope.” (Homily, Krakow. August 17, 2002) In an act of worship, a person who looks at God's mercy discovers the truth about himself and his life.
From the experience of the closeness to God's mercy arises the imagination of mercy, which, according to John Paul II, is open to all people, accompanying them in their difficulties and in the concrete moments of life help and guides to recover from a difficult situation. For the sake of the weak and doubting man the pope entrusted the whole world to God's mercy.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george
Novena to St. Joseph - Day Four - St. Joseph, Strong Guardian
Dear St. Joseph,
When I think that God gave me my guardian angel and St. Michael to daily watch over me and defend me, I'm not afraid. But then, when I think that you, you who are even more powerful before God, are my spiritual father, when I think that you are the "Terror of Demons," when I think of how you protected the Baby Jesus from Herod, then I am completely at peace (or, at least I know I should be) .
Saint Joseph, please pray that I will have the peace that comes from trusting in your fatherly protection. Saint Joseph, I believe that you will protect me from my enemies, seen and unseen. I believe that you will protect me from bodily and spiritual harm. I trust in your fatherly care. Saint Joseph, I will do my best not to give in to fear, knowing that you are praying for me in a special way as a child who has formally consecrated himself to your fatherly care.
Saint Joseph, Strong Guardian, please defend me with your prayers.