Mercy

"When I look into the future, I am frightened,
But why plunge into the future?
Only the present moment is precious to me,
As the future may never enter my soul at all.

It is no longer in my power,
To change, correct or add to the past;
For neither sages nor prophets could do that.
And so, what the past has embraced I must entrust to God.

O present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire.
I desire to use you as best I can.
And although I am weak and small,
You grant me the grace of your omnipotence.

And so, trusting in Your mercy,
I walk through life like a little child,
Offering You each day this heart
Burning with love for Your greater glory."

Mercy Sunday has been celebrated in some way by my family for years. We've said the divine mercy novena for as long as I can remember. I've talked about it before, done research on St. Faustina because she is a distant relative. But today I started reading the diary for the first time, interested in what the feast is all about. The above passage was the first thing I read. I was amazed...those words were what I needed to hear. I was worrying over something I said yesterday. But the past is the past. Jesus's mercy covers all.

What is mercy? I asked my little sister that question and she used the definition from VeggieTales: mercy is giving a second chance to someone who doesn't deserve it. I couldn't think of anything better so I looked it up. The first meaning is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. Another is an event to be grateful for, esp. because its occurrence prevents something unpleasant or provides relief from suffering. I've gotten that second chance, that overwhelming forgiveness from God that changed my life.

I feel kinda silly in not learning more about this before. But I'm excited to read the rest of Faustina's diary! Side note because of the news reports: May God have mercy on the soul of Osama BinLaden.

Pax Christi!