Retreat meditation on the mercy of Jesus
The world makes sinners of men, and then having made them
sinners, it condemns and insults them adding to the morass of their sin the
muck of its scorn. Mire upon mire this is the world: the world does not receive
sinners. Only Jesus Christ receives sinners.
St John Chrysostom writes: “My God have mercy on me! You
ask for mercy? Then fear nothing. Where there is mercy there are no judicial
investigations regarding guilt, nor courts, nor the need to offer reasonable
excuses. Great is the torment of my sins, O my God but far greater is the
treasure of your mercy!”
Upon his coming into the world, whom did Jesus call to
him? The Magi and after the Magi? The publican. And after the publican? The
prostitute. After the prostitute? The thief. And after the thief? The
inflexible persecutor.
Do you live like a pagan? The Magi would be considered
pagans. Do you make a profit on the needs of others? The publican was such. Are
you impure? The prostitute was also. Are you a murderer? The thief was one
also. Are you an inflexible persecutor? So was Paul because he was first a
blasphemer and later an apostle and an evangelist… Don’t tell me: “I am a
blasphemer; I am sacrilegious; I am impure.” Haven’t you seen the example of so
many sinners pardoned by God?
Have you sinned? Do penance. Have you sinned a thousand
times? Do penance a thousand times. Satan will stand at your side at times to
make you despair. Don’t listen to him; remember these few words: Jesus receives
sinners, words that are a heartfelt cry of love, a pouring out of inexhaustible
mercy and an unbreakable promise of pardon.
~ Saint Alberto Hurtado, S.J [Luis Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga], + 18 August 1952
Texts 05. Jesus Receives Sinners
Texts 05. Jesus Receives Sinners
1 comment:
Saint Alberto Hurtado: We are poor in faith and grace - take pity upon us too: Hear our prayers and grant our petitions ... for the love and glory of the Lord Jesus. ~ MKK, AMCC, HFH
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