Divine Mercy

In today’s Psalm, the text (which comes from the New American Bible) says, “His mercy endures forever.” Meanwhile, in many other translations it says, “His love endures forever.” Love and mercy are not exactly opposite words, but neither do they mean the same thing. 

The reason for this is that in Hebrew, the original word is “hesed.” This word does not have an exact translation into English. What “hesed” actually refers to is “covenantal relationship.” An alternate way of translating the psalm might be: “His covenant endures forever.” All of the things that the Psalm is praising God for having done, indeed this whole feast of Divine Mercy, is about the love and mercy that are necessary parts of that covenant that God has established with us in His Son. We can say that His love and His mercy both endure forever because God has wedded Himself to us, His people. It is an undying, unbreakable bond with us that He will never forsake. God is always faithful, even when we are unfaithful. 

This is why we celebrate this feast of Divine Mercy on the Second Sunday of Easter. Last week, we celebrated the saving works of God themselves, our Lord’s Death and Resurrection that saves us from sin and death. This week we celebrate the covenantal love and mercy that led God to do all of those things for us. It is because God’s love and mercy are undying that He was willing to die and rise again for us. 

As we celebrate this great feast of Divine Mercy, may we take time to reflect upon and appreciate the undying “hesed,” the undying covenantal love, that our Lord pours out upon us at all times!