# Amazing grace
*2019-10-25*

> Bill Young reflects on the overwhelming power of God's grace to surpass sin and begins the Novena to Divine Mercy.

## Grace surpasses sin

In reading from 'One Bread and One Body,' we encounter a powerful truth from Romans 5:20: 'Despite the increase of sin, grace has far surpassed it.' Many people believe that sin is increasing in our world—we see it in abortion, racism, ethnic cleansing, prostitution, violence, the breakdown of the family, economic injustice, and persecution. Yet, where sin increases, grace overflows all the more.

Consequently, grace is always sufficient. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 teaches, even the most evil and sinful situations are suppressed by God's grace. In no circumstance in life is it ever hopeless; there is always reason to hope. Thus, we can rejoice in hope, as Romans 12:12 suggests, for it will not leave us disappointed.

## Living a life of grace

To live a life of grace, we must first accept God's grace. We do this by living in faith and in good works. Day after day, regardless of the circumstances, we must decide to trust God rather than our own efforts. When we work for God and let Jesus be the Lord of every detail of our lives, we truly live in grace. A practical recommendation for maintaining this state of grace is to read the Bible daily.

## The example of St. Pope John Paul II

We can look to St. Pope John Paul II as an example of God's providence. Born in Poland and coming of age under communism, he attended an underground seminary. Little did he know that he would become the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years. During his papacy, he visited 129 countries and urged the world to open wide the doors to Christ.

## The Novena to Divine Mercy

As it is the 3 o'clock hour, we begin the Novena to Divine Mercy. Jesus asked St. Faustina that this novena begin on Good Friday, with specific intentions for each day. He expressed particular sorrow for the lukewarm and indifferent, noting that these souls caused Him more suffering than others and that their lack of faith was felt deeply in the Garden of Gethsemane. He told St. Faustina that on each day of the novena, she would bring a different group of souls to His heart and immerse them in the ocean of His mercy.

On this first day, we bring all mankind, especially all sinners, to the heart of Jesus. We pray: Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins, but upon our trust in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your most compassionate heart. Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind, especially upon poor sinners, and fold them into the most compassionate heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, show mercy, that we may praise Your mercy forever and ever. Amen.

*No matter how much sin increases in the world, God's grace is always sufficient and overflows to provide hope for every soul.*