# An introduction to the devotion of divine mercy
*2020-04-17*

> Bill Young discusses the significance of Divine Mercy Sunday and provides a comprehensive guide on how to engage with the graces of God's mercy through the 'FINCH' and 'ABC' methods.

## Personal Reflections and Intentions

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, a special day for all of us. As I reflect on my own spiritual journey, I am reminded of the importance of persistence in prayer. I've spent recent years exploring various devotions, from the Chaplet of Our Lady of Fatima to Father Michael Gaitley's '303 Days of Morning Glory.' Most recently, I have been preparing for total consecration to Jesus through Mary according to the teachings of St. Louis de Montfort.

On this day of Divine Mercy, my primary intention is for my son, Gregory. I often call him my prodigal son; while I was away from the Church in my early twenties, he currently does not believe in God at all. As he travels to Rome and Spain, I pray that the Lord touches his heart. I also ask for prayers for Sister Abbella, who leads our group at St. David's in Davie, Florida, as she manages many heavy responsibilities for the Broward County community.

## What is Divine Mercy?

Divine Mercy gets to the heart of the Sacred Scriptures. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God's mercy to sinners. Pope Benedict XVI described divine mercy not as a secondary devotion, but as a dimension of the Christian faith—the very nucleus of the Gospel message.

Mercy is essentially 'love's second name.' It is the specific mode of love that encounters suffering, poverty, brokenness, and sin. Because suffering is part of the human condition, God's love for us almost always takes the form of mercy. This message was emphasized through the mystical experiences of St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun. Jesus appeared to her not to change the Bible, but to remind the world of His mercy during a time of unprecedented evil. As St. Paul wrote in Romans 5:20, 'where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.'

## Tapping into Grace: The FINCH Method

To help us access these extraordinary graces, we can remember the acronym FINCH:

F is for Feast. Divine Mercy Sunday is the octave of Easter and the climax of the Easter celebration. To receive the promised graces, one should go to confession before or on the feast and receive Holy Communion in a state of grace.

I is for Image. The Image of Divine Mercy, with the rays of blood and water and the words 'Jesus, I trust in You,' helps correct false images of God as a harsh judge, revealing instead a merciful Savior.

N is for Novena. This nine-day prayer typically begins on Good Friday and ends the Saturday before Divine Mercy Sunday, preparing the soul to receive great graces.

C is for Chaplet. Prayed on ordinary rosary beads, the Chaplet is a powerful extension of the Mass. By offering the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus to the Father, we plead for mercy on the whole world. It is especially powerful when prayed at the bedside of the dying.

H is for Hour. The 3 o'clock hour is the Hour of Great Mercy, commemorating the time of Jesus' death. Even a brief moment of immersion in His passion during this hour can bring great grace.

## Living the Devotion: The ABCs of Mercy

Beyond the formal devotions, living the message of divine mercy involves the 'ABC' approach:

A is for Ask. We must make an appeal to God's compassion. As Matthew 7:7-8 tells us, 'Ask and it will be given to you.'

B is for Be Merciful. Mercy must be put into action through deeds, words, and prayer. If we cannot help someone physically or through speech, we can always reach out through prayer.

C is for Completely Trust. Trust is the heart of the message. This is not a license to sin, but a confident reliance on God's goodness after we have repented. When a soul approaches God with trust, He fills them with an abundance of grace that overflows to others.

*Divine mercy is the core of the Gospel, and we can access its infinite graces through the sacraments, the Chaplet, and by actively showing mercy to our neighbors.*