Dead end is defined as an end of a road or passage from which no exit is possible. But God has no dead ends in his plan for man. With the Mercy of God guiding us even in darkness, dead ends get transformed into smooth passages. Once a young man shared his experience of going for a confession after many years that he lived in sin. When the confession was completed the priest told him that before approaching the confessional, he was on the precipice of hell. The feast of Divine Mercy (12 April 2026) is a celebration of that Divine Mercy by which God saves even the hardened sinner from the precipice of hell.
One major reason for people continuing to live in sin or refusing to abandon bad habits, or allowing themselves to corrupt their lives with hatred, envy and greed is the thought that they had no chances of escape and that they have reached a dead end. This leads them to do more sins, and their hardened hearts distance themselves more from God.
But Jesus said something different to St Maria Faustine Kovalska, a Polish nun; ‘The greater the sinner, the greater his right to God’s mercy.’ It was in tune with what Jesus said while on earth. ‘I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’ Yes, Jesus awaits us even at those dead ends where our sins have brought us.
It is his promise that anyone who visits a church or chapel on the feast day of Divine Mercy and prays, with a contrite heart, before the image of Divine Mercy will experience the infinite mercy of God. But Jesus said something more, that the time of mercy is limited and those who refuse to go through the door of mercy will have to go through the door of God’s justice. As we know it is impossible for man to pass the test of God’s justice.
At a time when wars, famine, plagues and natural disasters strike the world as prophesied in the Bible, we must be mindful of those seven years of tribulation that is stated to take place before the second coming of Jesus Christ. So this feast of Divine Mercy is an opportunity to avail God’s mercy before those dreadful days when God’s justice will eventually strike us. Perhaps this may be our last opportunity because we are at the threshold of ‘an imminent night when no one can work.’
But a return is possible even at this last moment. Let us trust in God’s mercy. Let us approach Jesus Christ, the king of mercy, with a contrite heart on this feast of Divine Mercy. Remember! Jesus never said that God’s mercy is reserved exclusively for Christians. All of humanity, irrespective of creed, religion, or race is alike before the Creator. The doors of all Christian churches are kept open for all people so that all could draw from the fount of infinite mercy called Jesus Christ.
Could you share this message to those who are in need of Divine Mercy, especially those who are broken, those who are going through difficult times, those who are still under the bondage of sin and bad habits? It will be GOOD NEWS for them. Perhaps this may be our last chance to convey to them this GOOD NEWS, and perhaps this may be their last chance to return to God from the precipice of damnation.
May the merciful Jesus Christ help us in taking this most important message of Divine Mercy to as many people as possible with missionary zeal.
Let us pray; JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU’
NB: The feast of Divine Mercy is also a day that offers plenary indulgence for which the conditions stipulated by the Church are to be complied with.
