Joy & Mercy - A Match Made In Heaven

Jesus Christ is risen every day of the year and for all eternity. Every Sunday is really a “mini Easter.” Yet, our Church devotes a specific time to celebrate the glory of His Resurrection. Easter isn’t just one day, it’s a whole season, and humans are designed to live in a seasonal world. 

The waiting and anticipation we feel during Lent is now over. Although Easter season is pure joy, there is also some waiting involved in Eastertide. We wait for Pentecost, the beautiful moment when God sent forth His Holy Spirit, our Paraclete, and the Upper Room was set ablaze with the life-giving love of God. 

As we enjoy the Easter season and look forward to both Divine Mercy Sunday and Pentecost, I encourage you to think about how joy and mercy are connected. Consider a time in your life when mercy was extended to you repeatedly. Did that mercy build love and gratitude in your heart? And did that love morph into joy? In the moments of sadness in your life, does the thought of a merciful Lord bring joy to your heart? 

Participate fully in the Church’s “Alleluia!” by living Divine Mercy Sunday and Eastertide in a state of joy. Joy is not a fleeting feeling of momentary happiness. It is knowing that God is sovereign, that He loves you, and that He will never forsake you. Allow yourself to pray with a joyful spirit and you will be surprised at how easy extending (and receiving) mercy will become. When you live in a state of Christ’s joy you can’t help but show mercy to all you meet. 

All over the world and right here in our city there are people who don’t know the mercy of Christ. Let joy fill your heart and ask God to show you a ministry or activity that He wants you to participate in. Then go forth and watch how mercy flows from your joyful heart!