In “Divine Mercy in My Soul,” the spiritual diary of St. Faustina Kowalska (for info read this: St. Faustina and Divine Mercy) Jesus communicates to St. Faustina something important about mercy:

“I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first – by deed, the second – by word, the third – by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy.” (Diary paragraph 742)

This is a possible Lenten practice. Obviously, not just for Lent, but keep in mind that the best Lents are those that transform us into Jesus and thus what we become at the end of the season we should try and maintain afterwards. And thus, practicing these “three ways of mercy” during Lent will assist you in venerating His mercy and helping you become more merciful.

Given these increasingly trying times, mercy is certainly needed more than ever. Consider what Jesus told St. Faustina: “Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My Mercy.” (Diary paragraph 300)

So, the first way is “deeds of mercy.” There are the 14 Works of Mercy identified by the Church:

Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry
Give drink to the thirsty
Shelter the Homeless
Clothe the naked
Visit the Sick
Visit the imprisoned
Bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Correct the sinner
Instruct the ignorant
Counsel the doubting
Comfort the sorrowful
Be patient with those in error
Forgive offenses
Pray for the living and the dead

There is also this, from St. Faustina’s Diary, paragraph 163:

“O Lord. I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.

Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue.

Help me, O Lord, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neighbors’ needs and not be indifferent to their pains and moanings.

Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.

Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks.

Help me, O Lord, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness

Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor.”

Study that prayer and see how you can apply it everyday. I try. It’s not easy.

The second way is “words of mercy.” Be mindful of your speech. Be kind in your discourse with other people. Stop gossiping. Let rumors die with you. Stop being harsh; especially on the Internet, whether in Facebook debates and Twitter wars, knock off the crap. It’s not as if you’re going to actually change someone’s mind, anyway. At least not if you’re using vitriol.

Lastly, “prayers of mercy.” Pray for others. Start praying DAILY the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Get going!

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