Episode Transcript  

One

What is the big deal about Divine Mercy?

Jesus gave St. Faustyna the mission to tell the world about the infinite Mercy of God and to establish Divine Mercy Sunday, the Day when the ocean of Mercy is available to everyone. But why does Jesus make such a big deal about His mercy? Everyone knows God is merciful. What’s the problem out there? Is the problem that people think their sins are too big to be forgiven?

Does everybody go around saying that they have sins that are so bad they don’t think they can ever be forgiven? Hardly. The world isn’t spending all its time racked with guilt over its sin and fearing hell. If you tell people, “God is so merciful, He’ll forgive even you,” they’ll say, “Yeah, I’m sure He will. I know He’s a loving God, and I’m not that bad of a person anyway.”

We are not worried that God won’t be merciful. We are afraid He will and that it will hurt, so we would rather avoid it. 

Two

Splinters

When my kids were little and would get splinters in their hands or feet, what should I have done to be merciful to them? I should take out the splinters, right? That would be the merciful thing to do.

Did my children want my mercy? Did they come to me saying, “Merciful father, in your great kindness, please take out our splinters.” No, they didn’t. They ran in the other direction. They ran so fast you’d think I took splinters out with a chainsaw. Why? Did they like splinters? No, of course not. But it hurts to take the splinters out. The process is painful.

Now imagine someone whose entire body is covered with splinters. Big ones, small ones, all over. Like a human porcupine. That’s what our souls look like. Covered in vices. And we can’t do anything, we can’t even move, without feeling those vices, those splinters. And we know they shouldn’t be there. And deep down, we also know they make us miserable. But we hide from God because we know, if we go to Him, He’ll want to take all the splinters out. And that is precisely what we are afraid of.

Three

Hiding from God

Instead of going to God our Father in confession and begging Him for mercy, asking Him to remove our sins and vices, our splinters, instead we hide from Him and we think to ourselves, “I have been living with these splinters so long, well, I am used to them anyway. Besides God, you will never be able to get them out of me. And if you did, well, I couldn’t stand it. It would be too painful.”

Why would it be so painful to remove our vices? Because they are embedded, just like splinters. Our vices are so embedded, they’ve gotten under our skin so far that they seem part of us now. And if they are removed, we would feel like part of us was dying, that we were dying. So, we don’t want his mercy, we don’t want the vices removed. 

We’ve relied on pride, self-reliance, and the illusion of control. Our ambition, fueled by vanity, has brought us worldly success, and from that, we’ve drawn our identity and sense of worth. Envy has driven us to suppress the competition. And when we feel overwhelmed, bored, or alone, we turn to coping mechanisms, greed, gluttony, and lust, to numb the pain. But if all of that were stripped away, what would be left? How would I live, and who would I be?

So as soon as the Mercy of God tries to take out a splinter, we scream, “Stop, you are killing me! So just back off, God.” And all the while, we can hear the Father’s voice, “Trust me. You will feel better without the splinters.”

But we don’t trust in the Mercy of God. 

Four

Resolution 

So, what should we do? What is our resolution?

Between now and Divine Mercy Sunday, set aside thirty minutes. Sit down with pen and paper. Then ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you your sins, your splinters. Make an honest examination of conscience. Then go to confession before, during, or up to twenty days after Divine Mercy Sunday. 

Jesus wants to remove our splinters, and He can, but we have to trust Him and come to Him. But also realize, these splinters are really embedded. There are deep roots to our vices. By the sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus forgives all our sins and floods our soul with healing grace, but it is a process to heal the vices we have made over a lifetime. So we must be patient with the remedy and do the work required to be healed. Daily meditation and a resolution, daily examination of conscience, and then confession at least once a month. Keep working, don’t quit, and be patient. The Mercy of God is at work! Jesus, I trust in You. 

Five

Day Six of the Novena to Divine Mercy 

Jesus says to us, “Today bring to me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children, and immerse them in My mercy.  These souls most closely resemble My Heart.  They strengthened Me during My bitter agony.  I saw them as earthly Angels, who would keep vigil at My altars.  I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace.  Only the humble soul is able to receive My grace.  I favor humble souls with My confidence.” 1220

We respond, “Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart.”  Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children.  These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father’s favorites.  They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance.  These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.” 1221

“A truly gentle and humble soul Already here on earth the air of paradise breathes, And in the fragrance of her humble heart The Creator Himself delights.” 1222

“Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek and humble souls, and upon the souls of little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus.  These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son.  Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne.  Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them:  Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of your mercy for endless ages.  Amen.” 1223 

Suggested Resolutions:

Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you.

• Before God can take out your splinters, you have to set aside time to sit still and identify these splinters by doing a daily examination of conscience.

• Once you’ve committed to a daily examination of conscience, let God remove the splinters by finding a time to go to confession.

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