THE BOUNDLESS MERCY OF JESUS

Divine Appeal Reflection  - 108

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 108: "I make it known that the measure of My love and mercy for fallen souls is unlimited" 

Today's appeal is the manifestation of the infinite love and tolerance Our Adorable Jesus shows to every sinner despite their sinfulness. The forgiveness of Jesus is not partial or limited; it is the sea of forgiveness that extends its hand to everyone, calling them to accept the grace offered to them. Another aspect of Jesus’ teaching is the hope of his mercy for every person until their very last moment on earth. The theme of a merciful Savior is also shown by the nature of the Lord’s invitation; the kind words coming from the lips of Jesus emphasize that no matter how far one may have strayed or how deep they may have sunk, the Lord’s arms are open to them. The tale of St. Dismas, the Good Thief, who begged Jesus' forgiveness in his final moments on the cross, serves as an outstanding example "Luke 23:43." The scene points to the reality that Jesus’ forgiveness is always possible even in the final moments of our earthly pilgrimage.

This serves as a light of hope for the entire world but especially, for those who are weighed down by their sins. It gives people the confidence that they can always turn from their sins and find their way back to God's love and righteousness. But in order to receive the mercy of Jesus, one has to surrender to Him entirely. The concept of mercy entails accepting the fact that there is no sin that is beyond God’s forgiveness; His love is infinite. It calls for a contrite spirit for one to be willing to acknowledge his or her sinfulness and work for reconciliation. The Divine Mercy devotion, as received by St. Faustina Kowalska, stresses this trust. Speaking to St. Faustina, Jesus said, “The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy” (Diary of St. Faustina, 723). This profound statement calls us to come boldly unto the presence of God, for Jesus wants to shower His mercy on us.

One of the key elements of experiencing God’s mercy is the adoption of humility in the Sacrament of Penance. Confession means taking full responsibility of one's sinfulness and recognizing one’s sins before God. This is not an exercise of a negative self-identity but rather acceptance of reality and total reliance on divine grace. If we embrace humility in confession, we allow ourselves to be enveloped in the Mercy of Jesus Christ. God's pity and compassion are able to work in us when we confess our faults and acknowledge our shortcomings. This act of humility is a great step towards the growth of faith and the communion with Our Adorable Jesus.

As we beseech Our Adorable Jesus to increase our faith in fully embracing His great mercy, may Sr. Anna Ali's intercession guide and support us on this spiritual journey. May we always remember that no matter how far we may have fallen, Jesus' mercy is greater still, and His love for us knows no bounds.