Divine Mercy Sunday

The words Divine Mercy are closely associated with Jesus’ overflowing mercy for the people as He revealed himself to Sr Faustina Kowalska on the eve of World War II in Poland. On the other hand, let us try to define the each of the words and see the meaning according to our modern dictionary.

The word “Divine” means relating to a god, especially the Supreme Being; it is also addressed, appropriated, or devoted to God or a god; religious; sacred: divine worship, it also means being a god; being God. In other words, it pertains to a Supreme Being. Furthermore, another definition states heavenly; celestial: the divine kingdom, so it also pertains not only to a supreme being, but also to a place. And if you stretch it a little further, it also means extremely good; unusually lovely, godlike and characteristic of or befitting a deity divine magnanimity. And so, with this final definition we conclude that the word Divine is not only a supreme being, not only a place, but it can also be a person. Thus a person who exercises a godlike characteristic can also be called Divine. The word “Mercy” is defined as compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence. Therefore, we can conclude that a person who offers compassion and forgiveness can also be considered a person who offers Divine Mercy to others. The point that I am trying to make is that it should not only be Jesus who endlessly offers Divine Mercy for us, but we ourselves must be givers of Divine Mercy to people who have wronged us or people who are in need of our compassion.

Let us now turn to the definition of the Divine Mercy according to Sr. Faustina and other sacred writers. Divine Mercy is the merciful love of God and the desire to let that love and mercy flow through one's own heart towards those in need of it.

3 main themes to the Divine Mercy devotion

•          to ask for and obtain the mercy of God
•          to trust in Christ's abundant mercy
•          to show mercy to others and act as a conduit for God's mercy towards them

The first and second elements relate to the signature "Jesus I trust in You" on the Divine Mercy image. Sr. Faustina stated that on April 28, 1935, the day the first Divine Mercy Sunday was celebrated, Jesus told her:

"Every soul believing and trusting in My Mercy will obtain it".

The third component is reflected in the statement

"Call upon My mercy on behalf of sinners"

attributed to Jesus in Faustina's diary (Notebook I, items 186187) This statement is followed in the diary by a specific short prayer:

"O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You", which Faustina also recommended for the Hour of Divine Mercy.

 In her diary (Notebook II, item 742) Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:

"I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me."

and that he explained that there are three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first by deed, the second by word, the third by prayer.

The Divine Mercy devotion views mercy as the key element in the plan of God for salvation and emphasizes the belief that it was through mercy that God gave his only son for the redemption of mankind, after the fall of Adam.