GOD’S MERCY IS FOR EVERYONE - EVEN THE WORST OF SINNERS - 2
In the previous issue, we read about King Manasseh, who committed such terrible sins, sins even greater than those committed by the godless nations of that time. Perhaps, he was the worst of sinners that ever lived during the time of the Old Testament. Yet, when he repented and humbled himself before God, God showed him mercy – abundant mercy.
Such grandeur of God’s mercy seen even in the Old Testament – at a time when the Law was predominant – proves only one thing: God’s deep love for mankind – even for the worst of sinners. He wants everyone to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4). Through the prophet Ezekiel, He said, “Do you think I enjoy seeing evil people die? No, I would rather see them repent and live. (Ezekiel 18:23). In a way, God was saying that every sinner – even the worst – is qualified to receive His abundant mercy and live. But alas, very few realise this truth and turn to God. The rest simply perish because they are never able to understand the abundance of God’s mercy. A soul that is lost in this way brings more sadness to God’s heart than the sinfulness of that soul. St. Faustina writes about this in her diary, and kindly note the way she adds even the feelings of Jesus as He speaks. She wrote… Jesus in sadness: “The loss of each soul plunges Me into mortal sadness. You always console Me when you pray for sinners.” (#1397).
On another occasion, Faustina was instructed by Jesus, “Proclaim that Mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All the works of My hands are crowned with Mercy.” (#301). In fact, Jesus was only resounding what is dictated by the Holy Spirit in the Bible… God's mercy is so abundant, and His love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience He brought us to life with Christ. It is by God's grace that you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-4). The sinner does not feel the need to turn to God. Rather, it is God who feels the need to reach out to the sinner. In fact, He is drawn to a sinner who is helplessly drowned in sin and is spiritually dead.
When Jesus came into this world, the common complaint that Pharisees had about Him was that He was seen more with sinners. He would go to their houses and even eat with them. On one occasion, we are told that He went to the house of Matthew the tax collector. While Jesus was having a meal in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and other outcasts came and joined Jesus and His disciples at the table. Some Pharisees saw this and asked His disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such people?" (Matthew 9:10-11). Note the attitude of the Pharisees – a complete contrast to the attitude that God has towards sinners. Sadly, the attitude of many Christians today – including those in the renewal and in leadership positions as well – is more like the attitude of the Pharisees. They are content with the fellowship of ‘respectable’ people. They don’t want to go to the homes of ‘sinners’ – not to mention about ‘the worst of sinners’. A true Christian on the other hand will have the attitude like that of Jesus, who said, “I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts." (Matthew 9: 13). In fact that is the example that our late Pope Francis set before us while serving as a leader of the Catholic Church. He sympathised with those who were caught up in sin in the hope of winning their hearts over to God. He emphasised compassion over condemnation. It is no surprise that he was misunderstood as the Saviour was.
When Jesus went in search of sinners, He went with a deep sense of love for them. He went to them knowing that He was sent by the Father to save them. Of course, He was the one who was going to pay the price for the abundant mercy that the Father was going to show to all of them – even to the worst of all sinners. He would even pay the price of the abundant mercy shown to those living in the times of the Old Testament – Manasseh included. In fact, we saw in the previous article how the story of Manasseh, which is mentioned in the 33rd chapter of the Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament, was in a way pointing to Jesus, through whom the ocean of God’s mercy would open up for the whole world.
In the New Testament, we find another example of a person who considered himself to be the worst of sinners – St. Paul. He writes… In the past, I spoke evil of Him and persecuted and insulted Him. But God was merciful to me… This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them. (1 Timothy 1:15). Please note what he says next… But God was merciful to me in order that Christ Jesus might show his full patience in dealing with me, the worst of sinners, as an example for all those who would later believe in him and receive eternal life as an example for all those who would later believe in him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16). There you can see it – the same abundant mercy of God we saw in the Old Testament in the case of Manasseh. But now, it is revealed through the person of Christ. Paul in a way was proclaiming that Mercy is the greatest attribute of God. Again, Jesus, in speaking to St. Faustina said… Oh, if sinners knew My Mercy, they would not perish in such great numbers. Tell sinful souls not to be afraid to approach Me; speak to them of My great mercy.” (#1396). Again, Jesus was resounding the same thing written in the letter to the Hebrews… Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it. (Hebrews 4:16).
God is even ready to answer the prayers of His servants who pray to Him asking Him to show mercy to sinners – even the worst of them. Didn’t God show mercy to the Israelites because of Moses’s prayers? When they rejected Him and worshipped the golden bull calf, it appeared as though He was all out to destroy them. But His love for sinners will never allow Him to do that. He wanted Moses to pray for them so that He could show them His mercy. Moses, being a friend of God and knowing of His greatest attribute, did pray. And God spared their lives. (Exodus 32-33). Now we know why Jesus said to St. Faustina… You always console Me when you pray for sinners (#1397a). In fact, even when we pray fervently for the conversion of hardened sinners, God is ready to answer that prayer. There is no doubt that it was a prayer like this made by someone that led to the conversion of Saul, a hardened and the worst of all sinners, who later became Paul. Again, Jesus said to Faustina… The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion of sinners. Know, My daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered.” (#1397b).
In conclusion, let us acknowledge that we are sinners and at the same time trust in the Divine Mercy that is made available to us through the sorrowful passion of Jesus. And having experienced the forgiveness from God, let us proclaim His mercy to others – even to the worst of sinners. Let us pray for hardened sinners with the confidence that God is going to forgive their sins and save them. It is for this reason that Jesus asked Faustina to paint His image and write those words there… “Jesus I trust in you.”