"°and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3: 17-19
This passage exemplifies the life of St John Paul II, also known as St. John Paul the Great. Throughout his life he showed us the merciful and sacrificial love that Christ has for His people and how to imitate it. I feel so blessed to have lived in a time to watch and be under the authority of this great man.
One of the greatest acts of love that anyone can show is mercy, which is forgiveness when it's undeserved. This is what Christ did for us on the cross when He asked His Father to forgive us because we know not what we do. On December 27, 1983, John Paul went to the prison of the man who shot him, Mehmet Ali Agca. There, he forgave Mehmet. He not only forgave him but he intervened for his release in 2000. Forgiveness is a powerful act of sacrificial love, it is life changing – both to those who give it and who receive it. In 2014 on the anniversary of the forgiveness, Mehmet laid flowers at Pope St John Paul's tomb.
To know the love of Christ is to know His Divine Mercy. It's important not just to know His love and mercy, but how to give it in return.
How have you experienced the Lord's Divine Mercy in your life? How can you extend it?
Lord, Almighty, ever-living, ever-loving God, help me to experience Your Divine Mercy in my life so that I may give that great love to others who so need it, so I may Courageously live Your Gospel of Love.
Reflection by:
Tina Ver Pault
Did You Know...
Tina VerPault was born and raised in Boston. Tina is one of the youngest of 14 children. She is blessed with 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren whom she loves dearly. A long-time parishioner of Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview, she has served as a parish secretary and director of religious education, as well as many other ministries, since 2003. Tina was commissioned as a Lay Pastoral Minister and encourages everyone who would like to deepen their knowledge of our faith through the LPMI at the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
