We all live by God’s mercy. “If the Lord should mark our guilt, the Psalmist says, no one would survive.” Psalm 130.3. We all live by God’s grace, as the author of the letter to the Hebrew said, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” Hebrews 4:16
As we celebrate Divine mercy, the readings tell us that the Church is alive through the power of the risen Lord. In Acts 5:12-16, the apostles, empowered by the Spirit, perform signs and heal the sick, they continue to do the work of Christ. The book of Revelation offers a vision of the glorified Jesus, standing amidst his people, the Church, with authority and compassion. The gospel narratives show the risen Lord bringing peace and calls us to faith.
All these passages remind us, that Jesus, who was crucified and who is now risen, he is still with us to heal and strengthen us and make us people of strong faith through the power of his spirit. Now that the Lord Jesus is a living spirit, he wants to live in us to work through us. Paul said, in his letter to the Philippians 2:13, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Hence, on Divine mercy day, the church reminds her children of the works of mercy which are:
Corporal Works of Mercy, which deal with the physical needs of others:
- Feed the hungry
- Give drink to the thirsty
- Clothe the naked
- Shelter the homeless
- Visit the sick
- Visit the imprisoned (or ransom the captive)
- Bury the dead
Spiritual Works of Mercy, which attend to the spiritual and emotional needs of others:
- Instruct the ignorant
- Counsel the doubtful
- Admonish sinners
- Bear wrongs patiently
- Forgive offenses willingly
- Comfort the afflicted
- Pray for the living and the dead
These works are inspired by the Spirit of Christ. To bear witness to his resurrection, we are called to practice them and continue his mission. In the Gospel, we see how he dispelled Thomas’s doubt, thereby strengthening the faith of others. That is a spiritual work of mercy, counsel the doubtful.
May we always follow the steps of Jesus and be the apostles of his mercy. Amen.
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