Category Archives: Dives in Misericordiae

Vatican II is the contemporary basis for the effort of mercy. The impulse it gave was for a deeper self-awareness within the Church. The nudge to get outside of ourselves, too: In continuing the great task of implementing the Second Vatican … Continue reading →

St John Paul begins a final invocation: In the name of Jesus Christ crucified and risen, in the spirit of His messianic mission, enduring in the history of humanity, we raise our voices and pray that the Love which is … Continue reading →

St John Paul makes an impassioned and heartfelt appeal to skeptics and non-believers: And, if any of our contemporaries do not share the faith and hope which lead me, as a servant of Christ and steward of the mysteries of … Continue reading →

It makes sense that the authentic prayer of a merciful people would include intentions of others, those most in need of God’s mercy. Let us offer up our petitions, directed by the faith, by the hope, and by the charity … Continue reading →

Is action alone on the table? St John Paul also suggests prayer. Everything that I have said in the present document on mercy should therefore be continually transformed into an ardent prayer: into a cry that implores mercy according to … Continue reading →

Threats: yes, we had them in 1980, and many that remain have been joined by new ones. Modern (people) feel these threats. What has been said above in this regard is only a rough outline. Modern (people) often anxiously wonder … Continue reading →

Final Chapter is upon us: “The Prayer of the Church in our Times.” Section 15 also professes that “The Church Appeals to the Mercy of God.”  The Church proclaims the truth of God’s mercy revealed in the crucified and risen Christ, and she … Continue reading →

We wrap up the longest section of the encyclical with a statement that the Church plans to be at that “essential” place of forgiveness: The Church rightly considers it her duty and the purpose of her mission to guard the … Continue reading →

The relationship between mercy, justice, and forgiveness: Thus the fundamental structure of justice always enters into the sphere of mercy. Mercy, however, has the power to confer on justice a new content, which is expressed most simply and fully in … Continue reading →

Justice as the goal of forgiveness: do you believe it? Christ emphasizes so insistently the need to forgive others that when Peter asked Him how many times he should forgive his neighbor He answered with the symbolic number of “seventy … Continue reading →

St John Paul suggests the Church is not only concerned with conversion to Christ, but also to introduce a transformative element into the world: For this reason, the Church must consider it one of her principal duties-at every stage of … Continue reading →

Is becoming more fully human a worthy goal? Society can become “ever more human” only when we introduce into all the mutual relationships which form its moral aspect the moment of forgiveness, which is so much of the essence of … Continue reading →

Mercy is not limited to our loved ones. Not for the mature disciple. Mercy has a wider stage upon which to play–the world, no less: Its sphere of action, however, is not limited to this. If Paul VI more than … Continue reading →

Thus, mercy becomes an indispensable element for shaping mutual relationships between people, in a spirit of deepest respect for what is human, and in a spirit of mutual (communion). This is a high ideal, and I think even saints and … Continue reading →

St John Paul speaks of equality here, but I think some people find it a difficult concept. Mercy that is truly Christian is also, in a certain sense, the most perfect incarnation of “equality” between people, and therefore also the … Continue reading →