The Second Sunday of Easter until recently had no special name, but under the influence of the visions of the Polish nun St Faustina Kowalska (1903-38) it has come to be known as Divine Mercy Sunday. This feast existed locally in Poland for many years but Pope John Paul II extended it to the universal Church on the occasion of the canonisation of Sr Faustina in April 2000.

This feast in not new but represents a reawakening of an earlier feast (17 th century) that has lost much of its popular appeal over the years – the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This latter devotion was associated with similar obligations – the exposition of a picture of Jesus, prayer, fasting, almsgiving and penance.

Divine Mercy Sunday offers a change in emphasis, though not content, since both devotions centre around the heart of Christ; if devotion to the Sacred Heart focusses on Jesus' love then today's devotion focusses on his mercy.

Mercy is an indispensable virtue of the spiritual life. Without mercy there is no forgiveness; without mercy justice will be governed by “an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” morality.

Mercy is central to the Sacrament of Penance which forms an integral part of devotion to the Divine Mercy. In this sacrament the penitent encounters not so much the judgement of God but his mercy which washes away sin.

The heart that experiences the washing away of sin is grateful and in turn can extend mercy and love: “ For this reason I tell you her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. ” (Lk 7:47).

FOCUS ON AFRICA

Mercy must not only be lived among individuals but also among communities and nations. Some crimes are so horrendous, like the Rwandan tragedy that claimed almost one million lives or the atrocities committed in Bosnia , that no amount of justice will suffice for victims.

In Rwanda and Bosnia victims and perpetrators are trying other strategies to heal those painful wounds. Some perpetrators have come forward and admitted guilt and said they were sorry; others have refused to do so. Many victims have been able to say: “I forgive you.” In the face of almost insurmountable evil mercy and forgiveness is the only recourse.

Mercy must also be reflected in international foreign policy. Mercy towards the aggressor has always been an integral part of the “just war” theory – a doctrine that was not fully followed in the bombing of Iraq by US forces.

The crises in Africa too demand the merciful attention of world leaders. For too long Africa has been left to itself after it was plundered by the colonial powers and further plundered by its own leaders.

The Commission for Africa , a group of European experts from the public and private sector, formed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair stated last month: “African poverty and stagnation is the greatest tragedy of our time.”

It is refreshing to see a Europe committed to helping Africa . We hope this is not another talk-shop but genuine commitment, one not impeded by the billions of dollars it will take to bring it about.

As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, let us see the importance of mercy not only for healing individual relationships, but for healing wounds in and among nations.