Mercy

Mercy is another name for love. Love is another word for life.

I rode my bike nearly 20 miles after an intense Divine Mercy retreat this weekend. I wanted to make it to the end of the trail as a symbol for hope in my life – you can do it; you can make it to the end and then come back. Persevere in hope!

I passed the midway point and noticed that I was on the trail alone. I’ve ridden this path numerous times and always known the danger of riding alone, but the thought of threat was strong today. I imagined a bad man would see me alone and take advantage of the situation. Then I saw a bike without its rider propped on the fence.

I quickly looked around.

A child’s voice broke through my fear.

“Are you riding your bike?”

“Yea,” I reflexively replied, a bit defensive.

Once I realized it was a child who called me, I played in my mind with the other responses I could have given her.

“Hmm. I wonder how that got there?” “Did anyone put a bike under me?” “Is that what this looks like?” “A bike? Where?”

Then I looked up. The little girl stood at the top of the hill above me with her dad and brother.

“Hi down there!” she shouted.

“Hi up there!” I replied. Her dad laughed.

My fears evaporated. I was filled with delight and God’s love.

I had tried to pray to God the Father on my ride. It’s a difficult work for me. 

Then I thought that the little girl was Jesus to me. And she was with her Father. And the Father loved her, and they both loved me in that moment. The Holy Spirit took away my fear.

God sees me in the pit. He knows my fears, and my hopes and dreams, and my deep desire to know His personal love. So He breaks through.

“I see you down there,” He says to me playfully and seriously. “I’ve been there too. Remember when I was held in a pit before I died for you?”

"Let me stay with you. Let me be with you. Let me come to you."

"Then, let me move in you again. Let me cut the ropes of fear and deceit that bind you, and set you free."

I also thought about the glory of child-likeness. I was down and looked up to see a child. Humility, surrender. To become little again. Dependent on God. And then raised to glory. With freedom from fear and openness to love those who trod the path beneath me. 

The climb seems long before I would be able to share the joy of freedom with others who struggle.

But I have hope. There is Mercy. There is love. There is life.

Lord, heal me and lead me to forgiveness.

JESUS, I trust in you. FATHER, have mercy on me. HOLY SPIRIT help me to surrender. Through Mary. Amen.