I recall one convert saying in OCIA classes, “Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve. Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve.” I like the simplicity of that definition. The Feast of Divine Mercy is about letting God love you.

The Diary of St. Faustina is infused at every entry with the Lord asking her to invite souls to draw near to His mercy. “Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet (699). My mercy is greater than your sins, and those of the entire world (1485).”

With the help of quotes from St. Faustina, here are 3 steps to letting God love you a little more each day:

1. Ask for His mercy:

“Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion (1146).”

2. Be merciful to others:

“I demand from you deeds of mercy which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse yourself from it…. (742)”

3. Trust in His mercy:

“The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is – trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive (1578).”

Let God love you more today than yesterday. Every day.

Also, it is with sadness, but trust in the Lord that today we bid adieu to David Uschold. I am so grateful to the professionalism, artistry, wisdom and talent that he brought to his service as Director of Music. As parishioners have likely figured out, the relationship between pastor and music director is one of the most critical relationships to parish life. I have been blessed to work with him since 2017! David has earned all of the accolades that can be expressed and more! Please read his beautiful note in today’s bulletin, and keep him in your prayers of thanksgiving.

pax,

Father John Mosimann