Anyone who knows me well at all knows that I’m just as big a sinner as everyone else…if not a worse sinner.  Lord knows I’m one of the biggest sinners in Chicago.  I don’t say this in false humility, I’m honest and sincere.  I sin all the time and not in small ways either…I find great comfort in St. Peter because, like me, he sinned in pretty big and terrible ways like denying Christ and trying to convince Christ to escape the Cross; however, Christ continues to come back to St. Peter and even makes him the first Pope!  In my opinion, this is the relationship we need to focus on as we reflect and pray on Jesus’ Divine Mercy.

    Its hard to explain or describe exactly what Jesus’ Divine Mercy is.  It’s certainly one of those things where you know it once you’ve experienced it.  St. Peter experienced Jesus’ Divine Mercy multiple times in the scriptures.  No matter how many times Peter screws up, nor does it matter how badly he screws up, Jesus always forgives him and stays in relationship with him.  MOST IMPORTANTLY, Peter stays in relationship with Jesus.  

    There are plenty of people in our lives, including close friends and family, who make a mistake and do something to hurt us (it may have even been on purpose rather than a mistake).  I’ve hurt too many people in my own life and I’ve been hurt by others.  It’s always easier to forgive someone rather than forgive them AND stay in relationship with them.  I can think of at least a handful of friends who I’m no longer in a friendly relationship with because of something that happened in the past.  I’ve forgiven them and I hope they’ve forgiven me; yet, we’re not in a relationship anymore.  When we look at Jesus and Peter, Jesus not only forgives Peter but they also stay in relationship with each other.  Peter is able to get passed his own embarrassment for screwing up again and Jesus looks beyond Peters weaknesses and focuses on his strengths.  

    Jesus look at us the same way.  Jesus never focuses on where we fail or fall short.  Jesus never tells us we suck or yell at us for consistently sinning.  Just as Jesus didn’t belittle Peter, Jesus doesn’t belittle us.  We do it all to ourselves or we believe the lies from the evil one that Jesus is mad or disappointed with us.  Anger, disappointment, frustration, embarrassed, coward, these are words that cannot be part of Jesus’ Divine Mercy.  Look at every sinner who wanted to sincerely follow Jesus and how Jesus interacted with them in the scriptures, he didn’t have those traits with any of them.  Jesus loved them, challenged them to change their lives, and walked with them as a helper and guide.  

    Friends, as we approach Divine Mercy Sunday lets ask Jesus to continue walking with us as we seek healing and forgiveness for our sins.  Lets make more frequent use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation so we can experience Jesus’ Divine Mercy firsthand.  Finally, lets stop believing the lies that we are unloveable, unforgivable, and unwanted by God.  That couldn’t be farther from the truth.  “God is love.” (1 John 4:8)  Seek Him out and go to Him.  He is already searching for you.