Mercy isn’t about forgetting. It’s about redeeming.

He still has his wounds, you see. The risen Lord in the upper room; he still has wounds. Defeating death by death, rising again, his wounds are still visible, the scars of our sins. The crucifixion is not forgotten. It’s just that now those scars are worn by him, adorning his risen body. His wounds, now powerless; now they’re signs of triumph, battle scars of victory over shame and death.

It’s why Jesus showed the disciples his wounds as he said, “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19-21). Because now, on his risen body, his scars tell of what he endured and what he conquered. What would have been signs of his defeat, of his criminality, are turned to signs of new life. The crucifixion is not forgotten; instead, it’s remembered as victory, the glory of “combat stupendous.”

Which means this: Your wounds needn’t mean defeat either. They needn’t mean shame. Whatever you’ve suffered, whatever your past or your sins, whatever your wounds, they needn’t mean death for you. Rather, if you bind yourself in faith and penance to Christ, uniting yourself to him on the Cross, then IN THIS LIFE AND IN THE NEXT YOU WILL RISE! Which is what mercy is: that after all we’ve been through God still calls us daughters and sons, giving us freedom and peace. Because of what Jesus did, dying for us.

So, think of this mercy today and be grateful for it. And share it too. Because that’s the moral fruit of grace and mercy—that it makes us gracious and merciful to others.

Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday! Be merciful this week.