“Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’” Matthew 9:13
We are not only to receive the mercy of God, but to use it by being merciful to others through our actions, our words, and our prayers.
Divine Mercy is one of the greatest things in all creation. Like the stars in the Heavens and a rainbow against a darkened sky, Mercy is meant to shine and be shared with everyone.
Jesus explains that Mercy can be put into action by deed, word and prayer. There is no excuse for us not to share this great gift. It is simple, and gets easier with each movement. Acts of mercy are for us like waking and getting out of bed in the morning. Waking, one feels groggy and would rather pull the covers back up. But, once awakened, it’s rather difficult to get back to sleep. Then, swing the legs over and ugh, aches. The legs don’t move right, back is tight. But, one step and then another, this tightness and aches ebb away. This is mercy to new souls. First, the soul awakens from its slumber, unable to draw the blankets up once mercy is seen. Getting moving then is the hardest part. But, once started, it becomes easier and easier, less difficult with every act.
Most of my biggest leaps to act are simply reaching out to another. To an introvert, taking to a stranger is like trying to jump the Grand Canyon. I remember though one night. It occurred in the ICU waiting room. A man has come in, staying to the side alone. Of course, like everyone in the ICU area, he looked distraught. Later that evening, as I sat alone in the room, having just prayed over my daughter, I was struggling. I begged God to help me in this moment. I needed strength. I sat in the darkened room praying, when the man walked through the door, turning to his chair. The introvert in me begged me to just stay quiet, but something stronger pushed me to speak. I said hi and he cordially responded. I then introduced myself and asked what had him here tonight. He told me his new fiancé was hit in a head on collision by a drunk driver and was in critical condition. Wow! To this day, I don’t know any other reason t than the push and power of the Holy Spirit, answering my prayer for strength, but I asked ‘Mike’ if I could pray with him. I offered a prayer for healing and peace over Mike’s heart.
A few hours later, my daughter went into respiratory failure and was ventilated. Mike disappeared. At shift change, I asked the day nurse about Mike and a woman who had been in an accident. The nurse couldn’t say anything of course, but said, if he was gone, it was probably not good news. there was no sign of Mike or his things anywhere…just gone.
I gave an act of mercy to Mike in his need. I think it made him feel better and a sense of peace. I know this prayer helped me as my troubles and fears subsided for a bit as this moment became a shield. I’ve often wondered if God answered my prayer by letting me see my guardian angel and bringing me out of my darkness through an act of mercy. By giving a small simple prayer, God shielded me from struggles and strengthened me, for a moment. I gave a small act of mercy to Mike and got a truckload of mercy back from God.
The more we give away mercy, the more God heaps mercy upon us. Give it all away…start with a small spoonful and go from there. Maybe your first act of mercy is just not to think poorly about that person across from you. Make the bed for your spouse or do the dishes. Just start….
“”I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it. I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy”” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 743