Mary TV Daily Reflection 4/14/2015

Forever and ever and ever...
(c)Mary TV 2014

J.M.J.  

April 14, 2015

Dear Family of Mary!

I began reading the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis, and discovered these beautiful words about the connection of Mercy and forever! It was a reinforcement for me of the grace I received on Divine Mercy Sunday to hear the words "Forever and ever" being sung in my heart. Pope Francis talks about Psalm 136, the "Great Hallel".

Here is the excerpt:

7. "For his mercy endures forever." This is the refrain repeated after each verse in Psalm 136 as it narrates the history of God's revelation. By virtue of mercy, all the events of the Old Testament are replete with profound salvific import. Mercy renders God's history with Israel a history of salvation. To repeat continually "for his mercy endures forever," as the psalm does, seems to break through the dimensions of space and time, inserting everything into the eternal mystery of love. It is as if to say that not only in history, but for all eternity man will always be under the merciful gaze of the Father. It is no accident that the people of Israel wanted to include this psalm - the "Great Hallel," as it is called - in its most important liturgical feast days.

Before his Passion, Jesus prayed with this psalm of mercy. Matthew attests to this in his Gospel when he says that, "when they had sung a hymn" (26:30), Jesus and his disciples went out to the Mount of Olives. While he was instituting the Eucharist as an everlasting memorial of himself and his paschal sacrifice, he symbolically placed this supreme act of revelation in the light of his mercy. Within the very same context of mercy, Jesus entered upon his passion and death, conscious of the great mystery of love that he would consummate on the cross. Knowing that Jesus himself prayed this psalm makes it even more important for us as Christians, challenging us to take up the refrain in our daily lives by praying these words of praise: "for his mercy endures forever." (BULL OF INDICTION OF THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE OF MERCY - FRANCIS - BISHOP OF ROME)

Isn't this powerful! "His mercy endures FOREVER!" This is to be prayed and sung throughout our daily lives! Truly our future is a future of mercy that will last forever! It seems like Pope Francis understands the grace I have been experiencing, when he says, "To repeat continually 'for his mercy endures forever,' as the psalm does, seems to break through the dimensions of space and time, inserting everything into the eternal mystery of love. It is as if to say that not only in history, but for all eternity man will always be under the merciful gaze of the Father." Amen! Mercy and eternity are in the Father's house!

Our Lady gave us a message that very much corresponds to this grace of prayer (Forever and ever!):

"Dear children! Also today I call you to pray, pray, pray until prayer becomes life for you. Little children, at this time, in a special way, I pray before God to give you the gift of faith. Only in faith will you discover the joy of the gift of life that God has given you. Your heart will be joyful thinking of eternity. I am with you and love you with a tender love. Thank you for having responded to my call." (11/25/05) 

If we can pray in this way, so that prayer is our life, our hearts will be joyful thinking of eternity. That is the grace I am receiving. It is truly a grace of prayer, of singing about eternity!

I can't resist. I am including Psalm 136, because it is a beautiful way to pray, pray, pray until prayer becomes life for us. It is a way to think of eternity, and thank God for His great mercy!!

Psalm 136

Praise the LORD, for he is good;

for his mercy endures forever;

Praise the God of gods;

for his mercy endures forever;

3Praise the Lord of lords;

for his mercy endures forever;

II

Who alone has done great wonders,

for his mercy endures forever;

Who skillfully made the heavens,

for his mercy endures forever;

Who spread the earth upon the waters,

for his mercy endures forever;

Who made the great lights,

for his mercy endures forever;

The sun to rule the day,

for his mercy endures forever;

The moon and stars to rule the night,

for his mercy endures forever;

III

Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

for his mercy endures forever;

And led Israel from their midst,

for his mercy endures forever;

With mighty hand and outstretched arm,

for his mercy endures forever;

Who split in two the Red Sea,

for his mercy endures forever;

And led Israel through its midst,

for his mercy endures forever;

But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea,

for his mercy endures forever;

Who led the people through the desert,

for his mercy endures forever;

IV

Who struck down great kings,

for his mercy endures forever;

Slew powerful kings,

for his mercy endures forever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

for his mercy endures forever;

Og, king of Bashan,

for his mercy endures forever;

And made their lands a heritage,

for his mercy endures forever;

A heritage for Israel, his servant,

for his mercy endures forever.

V

The Lord remembered us in our low estate,

for his mercy endures forever;

Freed us from our foes,

for his mercy endures forever;

And gives bread to all flesh,

for his mercy endures forever.

VI

Praise the God of heaven,

for his mercy endures forever.

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Cathy Nolan

©Mary TV 2015

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