“who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy….He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:4,9-12
Unfortunately, too many (by too many I mean even one) are not convinced God’s mercy applies to them. But, God’s mercy is for everyone. As you read this, maybe the evil one is holding up the memories of the past, calling you names, and doing whatever he does to make you believe his lies. If this is so, ask the Holy Spirit to help you know this Divine Mercy is for you.
Jesus tells us the parable of the lost sheep, how the shepherd goes in search of one lost sheep. And then, says, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7
I’ll find it impossible, in my limited human understanding, to believe that there is rejoicing in Heaven or by God to find me in the confessional, confessing the same sins all over again. But, He is!
Don’t misunderstand, God does not delight in even the most minor of sins. To Him, all sin is deadly and major. But, every time we return to confess our sin, He rejoices. He doesn’t remember the sin of our past or the last time we were in the confessional – ‘as far as east is from the west’ has He separated those sins.
St. Faustina wrote in her diary these words the Lord spoke to her, “Let the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy.” (1146)
Remember who is what thatJesus dines with and called, sinners – like tax collectors and Samaritans considered to be the worst in Israel. Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17
It is God’s greatest desire to forgive you and give you His unimaginable mercy. He wants nothing more than to welcome you home…
“But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’” Luke 15:22-24
And, Heaven will rejoice!
An extra, just in case you still need to hear more from Jesus…
“Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 1146