evangeli.net

Dear friend:

How does Infinite Mercy combine with Justice, also infinite, in God? Does God discontinue being just while being infinitely merciful? The answer is, precisely, that there is no "combination", but "identification": mercy and justice are part of the same God’s love, because it is a love that forgives (The mercy perfects to the justice).

Men - marked by sin - can hardly understand it because we seldom apply forgiveness: it is hard for us to ask for forgiveness; it is hard for us to forgive. Precisely, the sacrament of Penance - the sacrament of Mercy - allows us to grasp the reality of sin in the light of God's infinite mercy.

In fact, forgiveness is almost an exclusive of Christianity. One of the most paradigmatic images of Christian forgiveness is Jesus’ response on the Cross dispensed to Dimas - the "good thief". «‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom'. Then He said: ' truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise ’» (Lk 23:42-43). Dimas recognizes that he deserves to be tortured by human justice - Governor Pilate has rightly condemned him. However, the divine justice - Christ-Judge - raises him to Heaven (He promises it to him before dying!). Has someone been wrong? Pilate? Jesus? No one has been wrong; it is just that divine love is exalted because it includes forgiveness when forgiveness is accepted (a key subject: The Mercy of God is not a "cheap grace").

The evangeli.net team joins Pope Francis’ intents when the 2016 Youth World Journey is going to be held in Krakow.

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