“The Paschal Mystery is the culmination of this revealing and effecting of mercy, which is able to justify man, to restore justice in the sense of that salvific order which God willed from the beginning in man and, through man, in the world. The suffering Christ speaks in a special way to man, and not only to the believer. The non-believer also will be able to discover in Him the eloquence of solidarity with the human lot, as also the harmonious fullness of a disinterested dedication to the cause of man, to truth and to love” (Dives in misericordia, 7).
Divine mercy is most revealed in the paschal mystery of Jesus. The time of Lent helps us to prepare for celebration of this great mystery of mercy. Divine mercy has the power to justify us (thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus) and “restore justice in the sense of that salvific order which God willed from the beginning ” in the world. What is this “salvific order”? We might think that it is harmony, peace, no suffering and no sin. But perhaps the answer to this question might be the words of Jesus, which were written by St. Luke in his Gospel: “Be merciful as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36). The “salvific order” in the world is the mercy that flows from the Father’s heart, it is the transformation of our hearts, making them similar to His Heart! We are to be merciful in imitation of the merciful God. We are to love every human being, forgive every wrong and injustice, and do good.
In what area of your life has the “salvific order” of mercy not yet reigned?
What does it mean for you and to what do you today invite the words: “Be merciful as your Father is merciful”?
“The Lord said to me, It should be of no concern to you how anyone else acts; you are to be My living reflection, through love and mercy. I answered, „Lord, but they often take advantage of my goodness.” That makes no difference, My daughter. That is no concern of yours. As for you, be always merciful toward other people, and especially toward sinners” (Diary 1446).
“Be always merciful as I am merciful. Love everyone out of love for Me, even your greatest enemies, so that My mercy may be fully reflected in your heart” (Diary 1695).
