Image from John Paul II Training Center (click on image for larger, more detailed version)
Mercy, mercy, mercy on me!
A treasure of a book in my library is The Lenten Spring by Fr. Thomas Hopko, an Orthodox priest who has much to offer all Christians and especially those who keep the liturgical year. Here' a part of his Lenten reflection on the mercy of God. God's mercy is like a flowing river, a gushing spring, a refreshing fountain: there is no end to God's mercy and it is continually poured out for us all - and especially for those who fear and who believe that they are beyond God's mercy...
Having mercy is God's most distinguishing characteristic.
Pouring out his mercy, his steadfast love,
upon his covenanted people
is God's main occupation.
Mercy is at the heart of everything God is and does and gives to his people.
God's mercy is the people's most treasured possession...
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting and endures forever...
With mercy the Lord wakes his people up in the morning
and surrounds them with it all day long.
Mercy goes before them and follows them
all the days of their lives.
Mercy preserves and saves them...
Mercy leads the people in procession
and takes them into the house of the Lord for worship.
Mercy crowns God's people and blesses them,
sanctifies and anoints them.
The people contemplate the mercy of God always.
It is in their hearts, on their lips,
at their right hands, and before their eyes all the day and night.
The people rejoice in God's mercy,
take pleasure in it and delight in it.
God's mercy is his people's greatest treasure
and most prized possession.
For the people of God,
the mercy of the Lord is better than life itself!
I love this visual. The eyes of the lamb are so sweet. He looks a bit frightened even though he's being held so gently.
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