This feast is closely connected with the image of the Merciful Jesus, from whose heart two rays of light emerge. The greatness and importance of this image lie not in the beauty of the depiction, but in the grace that Jesus gives to the believer. But why does Jesus desire the veneration of this image?
The rays come from the side of Jesus. Jesus showed his side to the unbelieving Thomas and thus paved the way for him to believe. Thus, this image reminds us of God’s great mercy. He does not wish the sinner to die, but to repent and live. The rays are red and white – blood and water. From the open side of the Lord spring the sacraments of the Church. In the sacraments the merciful Lord turns to us in a special way.
God’s mercy is the reason why we may trust him without reservation. With all our distress, with all our sins, we may come to him. That is why under the picture it says “Jesus, I trust in you.”
In order to grow in trust in divine mercy, Jesus, through Sr Faustina, recommends the following exercises: the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday on the 1st Sunday after Easter, the Divine Mercy Novena, daily at 3 p.m. the Hour of Mercy (at the hour of Jesus’ death, we look with trust to Jesus who has mercy on us and wants to give us life) and the Divine Mercy chaplet. All these exercises are intended to strengthen our trust in God’s mercy, because he has promised us that no one will be lost who trusts in his mercy.
(11.04.2021 at 4.45 PM Divine Mercy chaplet and the opportunity for confession)