These Days Are Rich in Mercy

Especially through His lifestyle and through His actions,

Jesus revealed that love is present

in the world in which we live: 

an effective love,

a love that addresses itself to man

and embraces everything that makes up his humanity.

This love makes itself particularly noticed

in contact with suffering, injustice and poverty,

in contact with the whole historical "human condition,"

which in various ways manifests man's limitation and frailty,

both physical and moral.

It is precisely the mode and sphere

in which love manifests itself

that in biblical language is called "mercy."

        ~John Paul II

          Dives in Misericordia (1980), #3