“The Church lives an authentic life when she professes and proclaims mercy-the most stupendous attribute of the Creator and of the Redeemer-and when she brings people close to the sources of the Savior’s mercy, of which she is the trustee and dispenser. Of great significance in this area is constant meditation on the Word of God, and above all conscious and mature participation in the Eucharist and in the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation” (Dives in misericordia, 13).
The Eucharist is an incomprehensible gift of God’s Mercy for us! Every day we can approach the Savior’s fountains of mercy, nourish ourselves with His Body and Blood, and remain in prayer in silent adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Let us thank God for the Church which, like a good mother, nourishes, cleanses and cares for our souls. Let us also pray for priests, who are stewards of God’s mercy, to proclaim it and “distribute” it to all those in need.
Do I use the treasures as much as possible that Jesus left in the Church, namely the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist?
Do I find time to adore the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament?
Do I support priests with prayers?
“O Jesus, I plead with You for the whole Church, grant it the love and light of Your Spirit; grant power to the words of priests, to soften hardened hearts and bring them back to You, Lord. O Lord, grant us holy priests and keep them holy. O Divine and Supreme Priest, may the power of Your mercy accompany them everywhere and defend them against the traps and snares which the Devil is constantly setting up to catch the souls of priests. Let the power of Your mercy, O Lord, crush and turn to naught all that might cast a shadow on a priest’s holiness, for You can do everything” (D. 1052).
“I see myself so weak that if it were not for Holy Communion I would be falling all the time; only one thing is holding me up, and that is Holy Communion, from it I draw strength, from it comes my power. If on any day I cannot have Holy Communion, I am afraid of life. I am afraid of myself. Jesus concealed in the Communion Host is everything for me. From the tabernacle I draw strength, power, courage, light; at times of anguish it is there that I seek comfort. I would not be able to give glory to God if I did not have the Eucharist in my heart” (D. 1037).
