Some Thoughts as the Year of Mercy Comes to an End

As I write these words members of our parish are getting ready for one last pilgrimage to pass through the Holy Doors before the Jubilee Year of Mercy comes to an end on the feast of Christ the King - which is tomorrow. We're truly blessed, because the nearest doors are just over a mile away at St. Ferdinand Parish, so we'll be walking it. The only question is the weather: after a spiring like autumn, winter decided to show up, quite literally, last night - uninvited if not unexpected. The temperatures are in the 30's, so the relatively short walk is appreciated. In general we've been busy during evening confessions this week, mainly with the task of servicing these, and other pilgrims eager to take advantage of the graces being offered. I'm sure the Lord will smile on them even more because of the harsh weather that we will have to endure.

Now that the extraordinary jubilee is almost over, there is speculation about what comes next. The relationship between the Year of Mercy and the private revelations of St. Faustina seemed to be more implied than clearly drawn in how the Church promoted the year. Nonetheless the connection has always been there, even if only passingly. Those who are far more familiar with diary of the Polish seer than I am have pointed out that Jesus told her that first He would come as a merciful Savior, but those who didn't accept Jesus' mercy would later experience Him as a just judge. Is the time of mercy ending and one of divine judgment beginning?

Pope Francis has warned us time and again to avoid "prophets of doom," who bemoan our times and predict a shower of fire and brimstone from the Almighty at any moment. No, the physical doors of mercy may be closing, but the spiritual doors of the merciful heart of Jesus will remain open. The question is, not will Jesus close off the gateway of His mercy, but will we close off the doors of our heart to Him? God is ever respectful of our freedom. He will knock, pound even, but He won't break the door in. He wants us to accept Him in love. He'll even accept us out of our fear, though that's not his preference, because he just wants us to be His. 

I'm not sure if we are entering into an age of judgement, but we are entering into a new age. There is uncertainty, doubts and fears that are hanging over us; but we need to be sure not to let these things actually take hold of us. I've been writing a lot about politics lately, so I'll make it clear that this condition is independent of who the president is. Part of the problem is that we have put too much faith in a combination of big government, big business and big media. In this new age our trust needs to be in God, not in purely human institutions. That said, putting trust in God means being obedient to his Word. While the Holy Father hasn't spoken of judgment, he has spoken clearly about living mercy in our lives. By living mercy, performing the Works of Mercy, both spiritual and corporal, as well as being ready to forgive and reconcile with others we are signs to others that the Kingdom is indeed here. For those who live the Kingdom of Light, there is no darkness. There is no moral law against charity, there is no negative judgment to be feared against mercy - and His mercy endures forever.