Divine Mercy

“My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 I.Mercy A. ἒλεος – eleos 1. mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them 2. of men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one's self merciful

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 I.Mercy A. ἒλεος – eleos 3.of God towards men: in general providence; the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ 4.the mercy of Christ, whereby at His return to judgment, He will bless true Christians with eternal life

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 I.Mercy B. חֶסֶד – [c]hesed 1. mercy 2. “lovingkindness” 3.one of the two key characteristics of the L ORD God. [The other is emeth (eternal truth)]

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 II.Divine Mercy A. God’s “lovingkindness” which is the hallmark of Who God is. B. God is always willing to forgive and grant another chance to those who repent. “...I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy...” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 II.Divine Mercy C. God’s “lovingkindness” can not be understood by humans. 1. We only know mercy and kindness of a limited kind. We can have some idea of forgiveness when we see examples of it.

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 II.Divine Mercy C. God’s “lovingkindness” can not be understood by humans. 2. We find it almost impossible to under- stand how people can forgive someone who has offended them.

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 II.Divine Mercy C. God’s “lovingkindness” can not be understood by humans. 3. God is even more forgiving than that. “...My mercy is so great that no mind...will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity...” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 II.Divine Mercy D. God’s “lovingkindness” is creative. It is what led to God’s creation of the world. “...Everything that exist has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy...” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 II.Divine Mercy E. In heaven we will be able to ponder and reflect on the Mercy of God. “...Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity...” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 III.Our response A. Seek God’s lovingkindness by seeking God’s forgiveness. “...The soul that will go to confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment...” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 III.Our response B. Extend, as much as humanly possible, the “lovingkindness” (mercy, forgiveness) to others. C. Recall the parable of the unforgiving servant – Matthew 18: “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

Divine Mercy “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy.” --Diary of St. Maria Fautina Kowalska, #699 III.Our response D. Being and Becoming Church – Reimaging and Remembering who we are. Bring the Faith Home.

Divine Mercy