Divine Mercy

​Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

PS 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

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​Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

​Happy Divine Mercy Sunday! 

Occurring each year on the Sunday after Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday was put in place by the late Pope John Paul II in . 

I chose the Psalm to reflect on today because it explicitly focuses on God’s mercy and how it is never-ending—a core message of the Divine Mercy teaching. The Psalm comes from chapter 118, and we will specifically focus on the first four verses: 

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
His mercy endure forever. 
Let Israel say: 
His mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Aaron say, 
His mercy endures forever. 
Let all those who fear the Lord say, 
His mercy endures forever. 

The Psalmist’s repetition of the phrase “His mercy endures forever” emphasizes the importance of the teaching and show how it continues—even for readers today. A similar Bible passage that reiterates this message is Lamentations 2:23 “The Lord’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent.”

Both verses point out that God’s mercy does not and cannot run out—ever. This theological point is illustrated beautifully in the Divine Mercy image. The image was presented in a vision to St. Faustina, a saint from the early 20th century who received messages from Jesus throughout her life. Check out the phone background at the bottom of the post for reference of what the image looks like. 

In this image, rays of light are coming out of Jesus’ hands, representing his mercy flowing out to all of us. Jesus told St. Faustina to have this image painted, and for the last hundred or so years, Christians have taken solace in praying with the image and being reminded of God’s infinite mercy. I would encourage you to make the image below your phone background and reflect on this truth throughout the week. 

As a last point of consideration, St. Faustina also famously conveyed this message from Jesus to the world: “The greater the sinner, the greater right they have to my mercy”.

I hope this good news brings you joy and energy. No matter how sinful or guilty we ever fear, we should no longer worry if God still loves and cares for us. The lower we are or feel, the greater the right we have to God’s ever-available, inexhaustible mercy. 

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​Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

Where in my life am I in need of God's mercy? 

To whom can I show God's mercy?

How will I better embrace God's mercy in this Easter season?

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​Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"Jesus, I trust you."

"Lord, have mercy."

​"His mercy endures forever."

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​Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

Take some time to pray with God's mercy, whether it's reading the writings of St. Faustina, or going to Confession, or praying the divine mercy chaplet.

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Smartphone Lock Screen

The following image is here for you to save and use as a background or lock screen on your smartphone or device to help you carry today's Lectio Divina with you the rest of the day.

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Today's Prayer was prepared by Liam Brady, an accountant in Chicago.

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.