No Rewind; Press Play Now

I post this as I am spending a few days with my two youngest children at the beach. Family is a precious gift. Mercy is a precious gift. Sometimes, when we are open to it, the two come together for something extraordinary. I have heard the saying, “Hold your friends close, and your enemies even closer.” I prefer to add to that, “and hold your family the closest.” May Divine Mercy Sunday be not only an occasion for God’s mercy and love to flow toward you, but your mercy and love to flow toward the ones you love, for what have we gained if we receive mercy from God and then withhold it from others.

Everyday Stewardship for Divine Mercy Sunday 2016

After my mother passed away, my sister and father had a falling out of sorts. When he moved to be closer to me, she told me that she didn’t ever want to speak to him again, saying, “Even if he is on his death-bed, do not call me.” My father was in his late 70’s and the pain he would have felt if he knew her wishes would have been too much to bear. Because of this, I made a decision to not tell him. This also put a strain on my relationship with my sister, caring for the one person in this world she seemed to despise the most.

Of all the gifts God has given us, time and family are at the top of the list to be cherished. Also, both are finite gifts. Our family members will not walk in this world forever, and each day that slips away cannot be restored. Still, we build up walls of fear, doubt, resentment, anger, and pain, not allowing ourselves to forgive and be good stewards of what we have been given.

On Divine Mercy Sunday, in the Jubilee Year of Mercy, God’s mercy is overflowing through all the earth. There is no excuse for you and me not to be reconciled with God and accept this profound compassion. In turn, there is no excuse to not extend that mercy and reconcile with those who have hurt us.

I always believed I would have a renewed relationship with my sister when my father’s death would come to pass. Two weeks after he passed, my sister suddenly died as well. There is no rewind of time. Yes, good stewards, today is the day!