NGUYEN: God’s mercy restores hope

The parable of the lost sheep (Lk 15:1-7) reminds all of us that God is merciful. Here and in many other verses of the New Testament, Jesus searches out sinners to offer His pardon and salvation. Mercy is the force that reawakens all and restores our hope of new life.   

Pope Francis’ first publication as pope, The Name of God is Mercy (2016), twice references Bruce Marshall’s novel, To Every Man a Penny (1949). Marshall cites a young priest hearing confession from a dying German soldier during World War I. The soldier confesses an immoral act yet still in a state of complacency, committing that sin again, if he had a chance.

Before absolution, the priest asks: “… But are you sorry that you are not sorry?” The soldier impulsively replies, “Yes, I am sorry that I am not sorry.”  

Pope Francis uses this dialogue to illustrate God’s unconditional and endless mercy. Even the smallest glimpse of sorrow reveals the opening of a crack, allowing the mercy of God to enter one’s heart and soul.   

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis’ central teaching is mercy. “The Lord never tires of forgiving: never! It is we who tire of asking Him for forgiveness.” Similarly, “The mercy of God is always greater than any sins, and no one can place limits on the love of God who is ever ready to forgive.” (Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel)  

No one can place limits on God’s love for us. His mercy is one way of expressing that love. God reaches out to sinners and offers them a new chance to look at themselves so as to trust and hope in God’s mercy.

As it is written in the Psalm, “You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger” (Ps 85:2-3).   

God is personally and vigorously opposed to every form of evil but merciful to sinners. The more God loves, the more He will be angry with everything [sins] that mars His beloved children.  

With this in mind, let us ponder the unlimited and everlasting mercy of God as the source of our strength and hope in this Jubilee Year. As the Doors of the Holy Year have been opened, Pope Francis once again emphasizes his Christmas Day message, “The door of God’s heart is always open; let us return to Him. Let us return to the heart that loves us and forgives us.”    

As Catholics and pilgrims of hope, we heed and treasure the call of this Jubilee Year 2025.

Lamentations 3:22-24 declares: 
 The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, 
His mercies are not spent. 
They are renewed each morning, 
So great is his faithfulness. 
My portion is the Lord, says my soul; 
Therefore, will I hope in Him.  

The Jubilee Year is an exceptional time of grace for all of God’s sons and daughters. Let us rejoice and be comforted that our Good Shepherd remains loving and forgiving. 
  
Sister Maria Goretti Thuy Nguyen, OP, is an associate director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.