Mercy Sunday
Apr
14
Written by:
Saturday, April 14, 2007
2nd Sunday of Easter, 2007
Our perpetual adoration chapel now has a new icon of mercy; this image is the same one that hangs in mercy shrine in Poland where this feast got its start. Our other mercy picture in the back of the church is a more contemporary design of the original image. Both feature Jesus in a white baptismal garment, with rays of mercy issuing from his pierced heart. The white ray symbolizes our baptism; the red one the Eucharist. Our Lord's hands and feet are pierced, which demonstrate for all time his love for us.
My favorite mercy image, however, is the one that hangs in my chapel at home. In this icon, Jesus is standing in front of a closed door. This is a reminder of this Sunday's gospel (John 20), where Jesus enters the room where the disciples had gathered, even though the door was locked, and completely startles the fearful disciples. They had shut the door in fear of their lives. Even worse, they had abandoned Jesus, denied him, refused to believe Mary Magdalene who testified to the resurrection and now, he had returned, alive!
Jesus still wishes to enter the locked doors of our heart, but he will not come unless he is wanted. He can pass through where others are barred. And he reveals his mercy. Jesus says: "Peace be to you; why are you afraid?" Then rays that spread out from his heart tell us that we are wanted, known, loved, and forgiven. Wanted. Known. Loved. Forgiven. Jesus reveals the qualities of mercy, and then tells us that we must be merciful to others too.
Am I truly a merciful person? How can I show mercy to others? I can begin by not rushing to judge others. I seldom actually know all the facts, and we can never know a person's heart. We can also give people the benefit of the doubt more. How often do I find myself criticizing others or saying disparaging remarks behind other peoples' backs? Hurtful words spoken about others frequently find their way back to the person being criticized.
Critical or judgmental people reveal a lot about themselves, too, and it isn't particularly complimentary. Such people lack mercy. Since we do not want our Lord to treat us like this, we must also stop treating others this way, too.
Father Gary