In a world ravaged by wars and conflicts, where senseless violence shocks us daily, God’s mercy is the sole solace for humanity. The significance of Divine Mercy Sunday cannot be overstated, as it reminds us of God’s unwavering love, compassion, and forgiveness. The profound message resonates within us as a reminder of God’s boundless compassion.
Divine Mercy has been a favoured theme of the Popes in the past decades. In the early part of his papacy, St. Pope John Paul II wrote his second encyclical, Dives in Misericordia—”Rich in Mercy” (1980), as the thesis statement of his entire pontificate. In the encyclical, he drew deeply on the teachings of Scripture and the Catholic Tradition to challenge the world of 1980 to raise its eyes to see how Christ opens up to us the possibility of Heaven.
Twenty years later, John Paul II would beatify and canonise St. Faustina Kowalska, establish Divine Mercy Sunday in the universal calendar of the Church in 2000, entrust the world to Divine Mercy in 2002, and die on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday in 2005.
During the canonisation Mass of St. Faustina Kowalska in 2000, Pope John Paul II said: “What will the years ahead bring us? What will man’s future on earth be like? We are not given to know. However, it is certain that in addition to new progress, there will unfortunately be no lack of painful experiences. But the light of divine mercy … will illumine the way for the men and women of the third millennium.”
The prophetic words of the blessed pope are being lived out today, and there is no shortage of painful experiences. After more than two decades of establishing Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church strives in its mission to share God’s merciful face.
‘Mercy’ continues to be a theme at the core of Pope Francis’ teachings. His devotion to God’s mercy found its peak moment in the celebration of the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy from 8 December 2015 to 20 November 2016. In the same year, an interview with the Pope was published in book form under the title: The Name of God is Mercy. The Pope emphasised that God’s mercy is infinitely greater than our sins, and the Church’s duty is to reach out to all, leaving no one behind. The desire for peace, reconciliation, and healing of physical and spiritual wounds resonates throughout his 11-year papacy.
Divine Mercy Sunday gains significance within the context of the Church’s synodal journey. The synodal process is symbolized by a majestic tree reaching for the sky. This tree carries the Eucharist, the source of life and mercy for everyone who gathers beneath it—men, women, young, old, healthy, and disabled. Under this tree, we are all pilgrims, walking together, listening to one another, and finding joy and forgiveness as we encounter the Risen Christ. We become agents of reconciliation and mercy.
To be agents of mercy means to be compassionate to the sick and the elderly in our homes and communities. It also means feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and advocating for justice. Being agents of mercy, we have a mission to bridge religious boundaries, foster dialogue and understanding and embrace mercy as a universal language, binding us in love. Jose CMF
