His Mercy Endures Forever

A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, April 9th, 2023:
​The Resurrection of Our Lord

---

Psalm 118 

R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or 
R. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever. Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” 

R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or 
R. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

“The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.” I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. 

R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or 
R. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 

R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
or 
R. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Christ has risen, Alleluia!
​Indeed He has risen. Rejoice and be glad!
By dying on the cross for us and rising from the dead, Christ has redeemed us.

On a recent trip to Cleveland, Ohio, I was privy to a series of events and endless hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament that led me to a decision that I had been discerning for a couple of months. In my pain and anguish, I became aware of God’s presence in my life in such a tangible way. God revealed His will to me in a foreign land and in alien circumstances because “His mercy endures forever.” 

Jesus, the ultimate bridegroom, loves us, His Church, unendingly and amazingly well. He always has time for us in our moments of joy, confusion, sorrow, or clarity. In times of great suffering all we need to do is stay faithful, because we have a Lord and Master who has proven His faithfulness to us in the unimaginable suffering He endured for you and for me.

Very often Jesus brings people in our lives who need a little more light in their lives. It is important to love them, keeping in mind that we are not their Saviour. That is Jesus’s domain. But we might be called to shine some light into their lives to help them see the tangible beauty of God’s love. At such times, Jesus is probably channelling our pain to create a work of mercy for such a friend because His mercy does endure forever and in all circumstances.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your only Son to die on the cross for me. Help me to be more like You and to bring hope and joy everywhere I go and to all those I interact with. May I always remember that You have a purpose for my pain. Amen.




Rebecca Dmello

---