The Easter baskets have been put away. The self-sacrificing of Lent, which brings us into the hope and joy of the Resurrection, now guides us to a beautiful gift, given to us by Christ.
This Sunday, we focus on the gift of Christ's mercy through the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. As we remember our Lord's lasting message to a young Polish nun, we are reminded of the infinite mercy and unconditional love that he unceasingly pours out for us. Christ became man to die for our sins so that one day we will be able to enjoy eternal life. His Passion, death and Resurrection serve as a constant reminder that his love for us is so great, so unconditional that he was willing to die on the cross for the salvation of our souls. As Christians, this is the basis of our faith.
Divine Mercy Sunday is an invitation to the Christian world to ask, or rather beg, for Christ's mercy in our lives. Often, in the midst of our daily struggles and heartaches, we feel that we fall short of deserving Christ's love. However, if we believe the promises made by Christ, we can see that this is incorrect thinking. While we all recognize daily that we fall short of being worthy of his love and certainly are deeply moved by his Passion and Resurrection, as sinners, many of us find it difficult to approach our Savior and earnestly ask for his Divine Mercy. Yet Christ asks that no one be afraid to draw close to him and, not only depend on, but expect his mercy a mercy so great that, as Christ himself promises, no soul will be able to fathom it for all eternity.
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Meghan Charley
Growing up, I've always been taught by both by my parents and my religion instructors at Bishop Ryan about the unending mercy of God. However, even with this constant reassurance, I have a difficult time turning to Christ at the moments when I need his mercy the most. When begging Christ for his love and mercy, I feel humbled, yet so undeserving. God's mercy is the source of salvation for all souls, and as sinners, we cannot obtain eternal life without it. Christ asks all of humanity to cling to him through our trials and triumphs, and still we fail and fall short of perfect trust. For most of us, this will continue for the rest of our lives. While acknowledging that we are sinners, we are called to take our broken, sinful nature to the Cross, with total dependence on the love and mercy of Christ. Certainly, the hope that is ours in the Resurrection can only be increased by resting in the assurance of his Divine Mercy.
Meghan Charley is a senior at Bishop Ryan High School in Minot.