MERCY, NOT JUSTICE

Today is the Feast of the Divine Mercy.  And in his homily, FatherJoey Belcina of the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish of Minglanilla, Cebu has had everyone ask the question - Will God ever pardon me my sins?  Father Joey had me believe to be unafraid, to trust  God’s Divinae Mesirecordiae – the font of infinite love and fathomless mercy.

Today’s feast reminds me of a friend who had a close call of death as he lay in the hospital bed reeling under the effects of medicinal drugs.  Writing about it in his Blog, he claims to have heard a voice saying  “It is My mercy, not My Justice”.

I have known this man to be a Christian Activist, a dog after his tail.  A lost brother for  two decades, I found him now enlightened, deserving to be among  “those much-needed Johns and Janes to help, in any way, the Mother Church to shape up, or else, ship out.”

You should not miss his Blog at:

http://johnpaulrice.blogspot.com/

and scroll down to Blog Archieve of February 2013 with this title:
HIS MERCY, NOT HIS JUSTICE

My Father Joey

Innocent and True

I came early to office that day and my officemate the ever beautiful Tarsing was already at her desk chatting with some elderly.  I did my usual katahoran saying maayong buntag and how are you to everybody including this elegantly-dressed child of four.

I took my seat and immediately uncovered the typewriter so as to start issuing I.D. cards for the new applicants who came early that morning to avoid the  rush hours.

Then the Lola talked freely and proudly about her clever and wonderful Apo.

Lola:  Apo, what is your name?

Apo:  My name is J.R.

Lola:  How old are you?

J.R.:  I am four years old.

Lola:  Where do you study?

J.R.:  At the Day Care Center.

Lola:  Who is your teacher?

J.R.:  My teacher is Mam Amor.

Lola:  Where do you live?

J.R.:  I live in Minglanilla, Cebu.

Lola:  Who is your Father?

J.R.:  Father Joey.

Everyone in the room got so excited and laughed  at the little boy’s prompt and innocent response!   

The boy's Mother is a single-Mom and he has not met his wayward Father kay nalumos lagi sa sabaw.

He is fond of Father Joey that he never misses kissing his hands right after the Children's Mass on Sundays.