Throughout scripture we hear stories that seek to awaken us to the depth and breadth of God’s love. These teachings reach a climax in Holy Week and Easter: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son….”
Over and over in scripture we are introduced to our God. We are given glimpses and bold examples of God’s character, actions, hopes, and expectations. And repeatedly, we are shown it is God’s nature —and always God’s initiative—to love, forgive, reconcile, and bring mercy to all of creation.
As we grow in our faith, our understanding and image of God can develop and change. There was a time I remember thinking God had high expectations of me and was disappointed when I failed. Through prayer, I have come to know deep moments of radical acceptance from God who knows my every weakness and fault, yet accepts and celebrates me—not in spite of these imperfections, but embracing them.
Pope Francis has said “The church is not a community of perfect people, but of disciples on a journey, who follow the Lord because they are sinners and in need of pardon. Thus, Christan life is a school of humility which opens us to grace.”
We are called to self-awareness, humility, and a willingness to recognize our faults and our need of mercy. Pope Francis invites us to lean on our merciful God, and to claim, together, “I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I accept in a spirit of penance.”
Pope Francis calls this path of the Lord’s mercy “a mystery; God’s heart is the greatest and most beautiful mystery. If you want to make your way to God’s heart, take the road of mercy, and allow yourself [to] be treated with mercy.”
Embracing and knowing God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness changes us. As we live into this gift, we are compelled to share it with others—and to continue to grow in faith. Our inward life affects our outward actions—and our outward actions shape our inward life.
Fr. Henri Nouwen, Dutch Catholic priest and theologian, writes, “Why should we act in the peace movement? So we can discover the source of violence in our own hearts. Why act to alleviate hunger? So we can unmask our own greed. Thus, all actions for others can become acts of repentance that bring us into growing solidarity with our fellow human beings and so establish the basis for reconciliation. Indeed, God is the one who acts, and by our repentance we can hasten God’s action. Here it becomes clear that our action is part of Christ’s coming, that in a mysterious way the realization of the new heaven and new earth depends on us.”
As we walk through Holy Week this year, let us prayerfully ask for the grace to open our hearts and minds to God’s deep mercy and love—and to be transformed. From this place of kindness, may we face the fear, tension, and confusion of our time and act courageously. Individually and collectively, may we bring God’s mercy to our brothers and sisters—trusting God even when it is hard. Indeed, the path of the Lord’s mercy is mystery—and it is right and true.
Janice Andersen
Director of Christian Life