Every homily we preach should be about the mercy of God, because in our heart of hearts we really don’t believe it! If we did believe it, there would be many more joyful Christians out there! ~ Damian Byrne, Master of the Order of Preachers, 1983-1990
Reflection: Damian understood that most of us find it easier to believe in punishment than in mercy. We just cannot grasp the depths of God’s love and compassion for us. So we live our lives in fear.
Yes, we have needed Lent—40 days to marvel at God’s mercy and love for us revealed in Jesus on Calvary. As Pope St. Leo the Great said, “Jesus is the hand of God’s mercy stretched out to us.”
Let us pray for each other during this holiest of weeks, that we will discover anew God’s love for us and become new evidence of God’s grace and mercy in our world. – Margaret Palliser, OP