God's Abundant Mercy

“God’s mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can restore life to dry bones” (Ezekiel 37: 1 – 14)…

Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives, too; and let us become agents of his mercy.  Pope Francis

When I think about mercy I often think about forgiveness.  As I prayed this morning I was struck by the reality of God’s abundant mercy.  God is always there for us in good times and in bad.  It is amazing how easy it is to forget that.  So often we find ourselves comforting those who are in pain – physically, spiritually and emotionally.  We are called to be there for one another and in doing so transform the lives of others.  As we show mercy toward one another we experience the gift that we share.

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are actions we can perform that extend God’s compassion and mercy to those in need.  The Corporal Works of Mercy are the kind actions by which we help our neighbors with their material and physical needs. The Spiritual Works of Mercy are acts of compassion, by which we help our neighbors with their emotional and spiritual needs.  As we practice these Works this Lenten season may we always remember that we experience the mercy of others as often as we show it.

Sr. Pat Schifini, OSU