What we Give is What we Get
By Steve Martin
Have you ever noticed the beautiful painting to the right side of our altar here at St. Therese? It is skillfully painted and framed. Placed in a highly visible position and close to the tabernacle, this painting can be a great source of grace. If we take time to meditate on its beauty and meaning, we will be drawn more deeply into the limitless fountain of God’s mercy.
Jesus Christ appeared to Saint Faustina Kowalska clothed in white. One hand was raised in blessing, the other was touching the garment at his breast. From the opening of the garment at the breast there came forth two large rays, one red and the other pale. Then Jesus said, “paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You”1
Jesus continued to personally reveal Himself in visions to Saint Faustina on many occasions. During another appearance, Jesus explained to her, "The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous; the red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My most tender Mercy at that time when My agonizing Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross....Fortunate is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him."2
We all recognize our desperate need for God’s mercy in our heart of hearts. Without it no one gets through the gates of heaven. Without God’s mercy the doors remain shut. Jesus came to reconcile all people to God by taking the sin of the world upon Himself and paying our debt on the cross. Because of His sacrifice, we get mercy. We are forgiven.
It is the Father’s will for each and every one of us to receive that mercy and spend eternity with Him in heaven. Anyone who feels their sin is bigger than God’s mercy needs to stop believing that nonsense. God’s mercy is without end. That is good news!
There is more to receiving God’s endless mercy than simply recognizing our need for it. We need to give mercy to others if we expect to benefit from the never-ending depths of God’s heart. Jesus makes this point simply in the fifth Beatitude saying, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”3 We must work and make every effort to be patient with the shortcomings of those around us. Can we resist the tendency to judge and instead help people to cope with their personal failings? Can we love them in spite of their flaws?
Due to the effects of original sin we all have defects. We all fall short of the glory of God.4 While it may be prudent to judge the worthiness of a particular action or choice, we have no right to judge another human being. God alone is the judge.
God gives us mercy when we, ourselves, are willing to give mercy. Maybe we are still unconvinced. Let’s review a couple more statements of Jesus as we ponder. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”5 “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”6 These are convincing words. The New American Bible points out in the footnotes for this passage that, “human action now will be met by a corresponding action of God at the final judgement.”7
Once again we find a challenge in Jesus’ words of love and mercy. When God gives a promise, often there is a parallel challenge with that promise. God promises to do His part, but He won’t do our part for us.
So… are we up to the challenge? God never calls us to something we cannot do in and through His grace. How much mercy do we get? We will get as much as we are willing to give.
1www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/stfaust.htm
2www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/stfaust.htm
3Gospel of Matthew 5:7
4Romans 3:23
5Gospel of Matthew 6:12
6Gospel of Matthew 6:14-15
7The New Catholic Answer Bible, NAB edition, pg.101