Divine Mercy: The Heart of the Gospel

48 Divine Mercy: The Heart Of The Gospel mystery of His Heart which enables us to dwell on this p o in t ... of the revelation which constituted the central content of the mes­ sianic mission of the Son of Man (no. 13). John Paul II in sections no. 12 and no. 14 develops the relationship of mercy, forgiveness and justice. As we shall point out, forgiveness is a major modus operandi for him in the present world condition. After developing the lack of peace and the threat o f destruction which is linked with the very existence o f humanity (no. 11), he asks the question: “Is Justice Enough?” “Justice alone is not enough” (no. 12). Mercy, “that deeper power, which is love, must shape human life in its various dimensions - otherwise the highest justice is the greatest injury” (see no. 12). The first act of mercy is forgiveness. “Our redemption is the forgiveness o f sins” (see Col. 1:14). When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us; not because o f any righteous deeds we have done, but because o f His mercy (Titus 3:5). In section no. 14 John Paul II points out that the “Church must acknowledge as her principal duty - at every stage of history and espe­ cially in our modern age - to proclaim, and to introduce into life the mys­ tery of mercy. ... It is precisely in the name o f this mystery that Christ teaches us to forgive always:” Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us (Mt. 6:12). It is important that John Paul II points out that: Forgiveness does not cancel out the objective requirements of justice. ... Properly understood, justice constitutes the goal o f for­ giveness. ... Mercy has the power to confer on justice a new con­ tent, which is expressed most simply in forgiveness. Then he summarizes the mission of the Church in terms of forgiveness: The Church rightly considers it her duty and the purpose of her mission to guard the authenticity of forgiveness ... by guarding its source which is the mystery of the Mercy o f God Himself as