On Mercy by Fr. Paul

Excerpt: “How many will be saved,” and he gave them a frankly terrifying answer, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Mt 7:13-14). For this reason, and the parallels to this passage found in the synoptics, saints and theologians have repeated through the centuries that the number of men who are saved will be fewer, in the end, to those who will be damned.

Another fine piece by Fr. Paul Ward

Editorial (02/13/10)


Conquest of Mercy

“Repent and believe the Gospel,” was the first message that fell from the divine lips of the Son of God in this world (Mk 1:14-15). But John, his precursor, said the same, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mt 3:1-2). The motif of repentance comes to our mind this week, as we approach the blessings of Ash Wednesday and Lent.

That is, the first word of salvation is that of mercy. “Repent,” and you will find forgiveness. Even “if your sins be as scarlet” (Is 1:18), repent and you will find mercy. There is no sin, and no number of sins, so great that they exceed the power of God’s mercy for the repentant soul.

Nonetheless, they asked the Lord, “How many will be saved,” and he gave them a frankly terrifying answer, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Mt 7:13-14). For this reason, and the parallels to this passage found in the synoptics, saints and theologians have repeated through the centuries that the number of men who are saved will be fewer, in the end, to those who will be damned.

This leaves us with a mystery: Mercy is for all, but not all obtain it. (Yet even the damned in hell will never suffer as much as they deserve, so God’s mercy triumphs even there, to the hatred of the enemies of God.)

This past weekend (Feb. 5-7, 2010), I had the privilege of directing a weekend retreat to an amazing group of young Catholics, students at Madonna University. I asked one young lady to give one of the talks, about Divine Mercy, as she was very familiar with the writings of St. Faustina. In her simple and straightforward way, each one of us was moved by so much she had said: mercy can be found for all who obtain it… those who call on Divine Mercy in the hour of death shall be heard, and God the Son Himself will obtain it for him before the Father… priests with this devotion will powerfully win over sinners to their salvaition…

Yet the common thread is the answer to the dilemma posed by the mystery we just mentioned. And this thread is this: mercy is sought.

Mercy is there for all who seek it. The penitent criminal on the cross next to Jesus obtained salvation that very day for his request for mercy. Peter obtained mercy. Paul obtained mercy. Mary Magdelene, possessed by seven demons, obtained mercy (Mk 16:9). I wonder how history would have went if Judas sought mercy. But St. Augustine obtained mercy. There is mercy for murderers, for adulterers, for liars, for slanderers, for thieves, for pagans, for abortionists, and even for communists. It’s there by the truckloads, when even the smallest drop would suffice. But these persons must seek it. “Seek, and you shall find” (Mt 7:7), says the Lord, and he wasn’t talking about money or power or fame or pleasures. He was speaking about prayer, and the saying is especially appropriate for mercy.

Yet there are many who do not seek mercy. Think of those in parishes who slander their fellow parishioners, or even priests, and never think of mercy. Think of those who habitually enjoy impure images in movies, television or the internet, and never bother to seek mercy. Think of those in despair for some sin they had done – perhaps an abortion, the forfeiting of their virginity, a huge violence against someone – and suppose that mercy is beyond them; and yet not in their first sin, but only in their despair, does Satan win his real triumph over them. Think even of deacons, priests or bishops who neglect their priestly lives, abuse the liturgy – yes, even in small things! – persist in their ignorance, abuse those around them in so many different ways with varying degrees of scandal, and live with abysmal self-absorption, yet never bother to repent and seek mercy. They are walking along the wide road of the many.

God made men, because, unlike unto the angels, he would be glorified by showing forgiveness to them. And maybe some poor sinner might find hope in the consideration that God wants them to discover that he is a forgiving God.

But for forgiveness, one needs to repent and believe in mercy. Seek, and you shall find.

You can read Fr. Paul's editorials by clicking HERE