Reflections on Divine Mercy Sunday – 11th April 2010 (Br Martin Arlando)

Have we ever wondered to what extent would our God go to save us? I was taken aback even more with the humiliation he had to go through for us mere human beings. Well let me illustrate with a story just to show a bit of what he would have gone through.

St. Clement Hofbauer of Vienna was collecting funds for the orphans whose fathers had died in the Napoleonic wars. He walked into a restaurant, where three men were playing cards, and asked them for a contribution to his good work. One of them cursed him and spat in his face.
Hofbauer quietly took out his handkerchief, wiped the spit from his cheek, and said without the slightest sign of anger, “Now, that was for me, sir. How about something for my orphan?”
This is just part of a similar humiliation Jesus had to go through to redeem us. In fact he has never stopped either to continue reaching out to us and introducing various means and channels to impart his graces and mercy. One of it is through His “Divine Mercy” devotion. It’s really great to know that God loves us more than we could ever imagine. But unfortunately our response is very slow in embracing His mercy for us. Let’s take a look again of His revelation to St. Faustina, in inviting us to draw closer to Him and respond accordingly.

It’s The Third Hour - The Hour of Great Mercy

At three o'clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy ... In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion. (Diary 1320).

As often as you hear the clock strike the third hour immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it, invoke it's omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners, for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul. In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking; it was the hour of grace for the whole world - mercy triumphed over justice.

Try your best to make the Stations of the Cross in this hour, provided that your duties permit it; and if you are not able to make the Stations of the Cross, then at least step into the chapel for a moment and adore, in the Most Blessed Sacrament. My Heart, which is full of mercy: and should you be unable to step into chapel. immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant. (Diary 1572)
Diary, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul (c) 1987

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Stay tuned for the next post by Br Aloysius Tan on 13th Apr 2010.