Mercy Upon Mercy Upon Mercy
Divine Mercy Sunday

Imagine that we have an entire day dedicated to MERCY!
Should that surprise us?

The mission of Jesus was about mercy. Reading the Gospels, it becomes very clear very quickly that our Savior is merciful and compassionate.

One of my favorite Gospels illustrating this divine attribute is the story of the Adulterous Woman from John's Gospel. I like this story because it so clearly manifests the mercy of God.
The law of Moses mandated that a woman who committed adultery was to be stoned to death.
The woman of John 8: 1ff. was "caught" in the act of adultery. It is the "caught" that has always captured my attention. Being caught somehow implies that someone was out looking to catch someone. One who looks for trouble will usually find it. So, the woman was caught by those self-righteous fools whose foolishness would soon cause them some embarrassment and, hopefully, some self-reflection.

They brought her to Jesus whose heart was moved to mercy - maybe so greatly moved to mercy because of the sneaky ways of the foolish of heart. Christ challenges the "catchers": Let those among you who are without sin throw the first stone. Of course, you know the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would have said.

One by one, shamefacedly, they slithered away. The slithering part is my invention.
Jesus turns and says: Well lady, it looks like your accusers have all gone away. I certainly don't accuse you. Now listen, Go! And be good. Don't sin again.

Do you think she repented?
Somehow, I think she did.
There is hope for you and me.
There is mercy upon mercy upon mercy.
Thank God for that. I can sleep more easily tonight convinced of DIVINE MERCY.