Divine Mercy And The Gift Of Forgiveness
- Dec 23, 2022
- 5 min read
Written by: Agnes Chau, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
My magical journey to discovering Divine Mercy happened on a flight to Washington D.C. a few years ago when I sat next to a nun, who encouraged me to visit the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA. Throughout my Catholic upbringing, I had not learned of Divine Mercy. I had not been to a church in many years as I no longer felt the stories of fear, sin, and sacrifice resonated with me. However, I kept an open mind and decided to embark upon a journey that also led me to the Divine Mercy Shrine and Basilica in Krakow, Poland.
Sister Faustina (the first saint of the new millennium) had received visions of Jesus in her dreams in the 1930s to have a portrait of him made with his heart pouring forth water and blood, symbolizing light and love. The portrait shows Jesus with one hand raised in blessing and the other hand touching his heart with red and white rays of light pouring forth. By his feet are the words “Jesus, I Trust in You”. Divine Mercy represents the compassion and love that God has for humanity. In both of these churches, the portrait of Jesus was featured prominently at the front of the Church, by the altar. This was surprising for me as I had only been to churches where the cross was the most prominent. This portrait of Jesus symbolizes the path forward. Even God and Jesus evolve. It’s not about fear, sin, and sacrifice anymore. The message is about love, hope, and peace. This is a symbol of God’s infinite mercy. This is a message that all sins are forgiven and that we are worthy of God’s love. The rays of the heart symbolize the forgiveness of sins and the promise of salvation for all who come to God with a contrite heart. Every day during the hour of mercy between 3-4 pm anywhere in the world, one can ask Divine Mercy for anything, and it shall be granted. There is a special way to pray the rosary and make it more powerful. One can cast problems to Divine Mercy within us and outside of us. One can ask Saint Faustina for her intercession (if you ask for her help she will give it to you). While some people have experienced physical miracles at these churches, leaving behind wheelchairs and crutches, many others have experienced miracles of faith, learning to forgive themselves. In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples that he has come to bring mercy and forgiveness to the world. He tells them that if they believe in him, they will receive eternal life. This is the basis for the belief that God is merciful and forgiving. The devotion of Divine Mercy is based on the idea that Jesus is the Divine Mercy of God and that he offers us the opportunity to receive his mercy and forgiveness. The devotion includes prayers and devotional practices such as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Novena of Divine Mercy, and the veneration of the Divine Mercy image. The feast of Divine Mercy, also known as Mercy Sunday, is celebrated the Sunday after Easter and is open to people of all faiths who gather at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy. Each of these practices helps to deepen one's relationship with God and to experience his mercy.
Divine Mercy is about how to forgive ourselves and others. It’s about how to love ourselves and others. It’s to know that we are worthy. It is to know that the light is within each of us and it burns brightly. While some of us may not believe that we are deserving of forgiveness and salvation, our inner child, that 7-year-old within us, is deserving. We are now at an age where we can be the parent to our inner child. Doesn’t that inner child deserve the compassion understanding, and love that you have to give? During this Christmas season, gift your inner child with compassion, understanding, peace, and love. Gift it freely, without condition. When you gift it to yourself, you can gift it to others too, so we can live in a more compassionate society. Fear can be replaced with love. Despair can be replaced with hope. The war within can be replaced with peace from within. Sin can be replaced with forgiveness.
The violet flame that is protected by Holy Saint Germain can be invoked for forgiveness. The violet flame represents the highest frequency in the visible light spectrum and can transmute any negative energies into positive energies. The violet flame is the fire of the Holy Spirit. When we invoke forgiveness for ourselves or others by calling upon spiritual fire of the violet flame, we can experience a peace within our hearts.
Even if Divine Mercy or the violet flame doesn’t resonate with you, then start with Ho’oponopono, the Hawaiian mantra for forgiveness. It starts with “I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” Ask your inner child for forgiveness for whatever comes to mind. Imagine giving your inner child, the 7-year-old you, a big hug. This is the start of a magical inner journey to self-discovery and self-compassion.
In summary, one can experience the gift of forgiveness of oneself and of others through Divine Mercy, through the intercession of Saint Faustina, by invoking the violet flame, or through Ho’oponopono, or other methods. May this Christmas season be a time when we meditate, contemplate, and/or reflect upon God’s love and infinite mercy. By learning to forgive ourselves and others, we are receiving God’s gift of Divine Mercy. When we breathe into our Divine Hearts to tap into the Divine Intelligence within, we can connect with Divine Source (God, Divine Mercy, Divine Sophia, Dear Universe) within us and outside of us. May we all experience peace from within.
Agnes Chau, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Agnes Chau is a Transformational Life Coach and Private Consultant. With her training in various life-transforming modalities and her prior experience as an Engineering Executive, Agnes helps clients succeed in all aspects of life. Agnes enjoys helping people tap into their Divine Intelligence to identify the most effective path forward for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. She specializes in PSYCH-K®, Tong Ren tapping, and other modalities for wellbeing. Agnes has received many awards, including, Connecticut Woman of Innovation for Large Business Innovation and Leadership, the Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Ahead award, the Society of Women Engineers’ Advocating Women in Engineering Award, and several patents.
Agnes is also the President and Founder of The Empowered Heart, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit https://www.theempoweredheart.org. She volunteers her time as a certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Women Empowered Instructor.
