Divine Mercy: The Heart of the Gospel

John Paul II: The Mercy Pope 49 revealed in Jesus Christ. ... The basis o f the Church’s mission is none other than ‘drawing from the wells o f the Savior’ (Is 12:3) (no. 14). The Need for God’s Mercy: The Pope Asks Forgiveness One o f the characteristics o f the Mercy Pope is to express the mission o f the Church in concrete terms by asking for forgiveness. In Tertio Millenium Adveniente (November 10, 1994), John Paul II prays that unity among all Christians will increase until they reach full communion - as soon as possible (no. 16). The Jubilee preparation should make the Church more fully conscious of our sinfulness, espe­ cially o f scandal and counter witness (no.33). We must repent o f sins against unity. We must make amends and teach forgiveness. We should invoke the Holy Spirit with greater insistence for the grace of Christian unity (no.34). The Church must express profound regret for intolerance and violence in the service o f truth (no.35). John Paul II has done this in his meetings with Protestant groups, for example, with the Protestants in the Czech Republic. In Orientate Lumen (May 2, 1995) he says that we must ceaselessly implore Divine Mercy and a new heart for a shared conversion (no.21). In his encyclical Ut Unum Sint (May 25, 1995) he writes that what is needed is “a vision enlivened by Divine Mercy” to break down walls o f division and distrust: The commitment to ecumenism must be based upon conver­ sion o f hearts and prayer, which will lead to the necessary purifi­ cation o f past memories with the grace o f the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s disciples inspired by love, by the power o f truth and a sin­ cere desire for mutual forgiveness and reconciliation are called to re-examine together the painful past. ... What is needed is ... a vision enlivened by Divine Mercy (no.2). John Paul II writes strongly o f his ministry as Bishop of Rome as a ministry o f mercy even as Peter received mercy to in turn minister mercy to his brethren (cf. Jn. 22:32): The bishop o f Rome exercises a ministry originating in the