314 DIVINE MERCY

YOUCAT Lesson 314

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

314  How do we know that God is merciful?

In many passages in Sacred Scripture God shows that he is merciful, especially in the parable of the merciful father (Luke 15:11) who goes out to meet his prodigal son, accepts him unconditionally, and celebrates his return and their reconciliation with a joyful banquet.  [1846, 1870]

Painting: Return of the Prodigal Son, 1667-1670 by Bartolomẻ Esteban Murillo-e1423348281457 .....314

Already in the Old Testament God says through the prophet Ezekiel: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 32:11).  Jesus is sent “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24), and he knows that “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12).  Therefore he eats with tax collectors and sinners, and then toward the end of his earthly life he even interprets his death as an initiative of God’s merciful love: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).  227, 524

“Never doubt God’s mercy!”  St. Benedict of Nursia (ca. 480-547, founder of Western monasticism)

“Besides God’s mercy there is no other source of hope for mankind.”  Pope St. John Paul II (1920-2005)

“Even if our hearts condemn us—God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”  (See 1 John 3:20)

1846, 1870

I. MERCY AND SIN

1846 The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God's mercy to sinners.( Compare Luke 15.)¹¹³ The angel announced to Joseph: "You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."( Matthew 1:21.)¹¹⁴ The same is true of the Eucharist, the sacrament of redemption: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."⁽Matthew 26:28.⁾¹¹⁵

IN BRIEF

1870 "God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all" (Rom 11:32).