16th Dublin International Divine Mercy Conference

Held on the weekend of the 24th and 25th of February 2007 Main Hall RDS. Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

The Theme was "My Kingdom is not of this world" John 18 :36

"My Kingdom is not of this world"

The theme of the Conference this year is Jesus' reply to Pilate taken from John 18:36. "My Kingdom is not of this world." Jesus' answer to Pilate is intended to show that His kingdom is not of a political kind, and to answer the charge of rebellion; by suggesting that no threat is intended to Rome, since the servants of Jesus have not fought to prevent His being handed over to the Jews. Nevertheless, the comment of Jesus begs the question what kind of kingdom is it?

For many of us the idea of a monarchy with kingdoms, where Kings and Queens reign in majesty and splendour belongs to a bygone era. However, all of us are familiar with the idea of citizenship and the concept of belonging to a country. Most of us have used passports going on holidays, these documents identify us to other countries as citizens of Ireland. They confer certain rights and responsibilities. In a national sense and wider geo-political sense they show us as subjects of a country named Ireland whose citizens have identifiable characteristics that name us as Irish. Most other countries even those that still have a monarchy operate like this.

However, Jesus tells us that His kingdom is not of this kind, then what kind is it? Perhaps, we begin to answer this question when we except in humility, that none of our political or philosophical systems are ever going to be perfect, since we ourselves are not perfect. It is then that the words of Jesus may lead us to think a little deeper about His reply to Pilate. The true sense of the rule of this kingdom is to be found in 1 John 4:7-8, "God is Love." Which we receive as Divine Mercy. How then can we come to be citizens of the Kingdom of heaven?

As in most countries with or without kingdoms if we considered emigrating to any of them we would consult a number of different sources of information such as government authorities, relatives or friends already there for information on that country's requirements. In our case the Scriptures and teachings on the life death and resurrection of Jesus are the source par excellence. While the lives of the saints already there provide us with valuable information on the different paths to take. Since God's love to us is received as mercy we can turn to Saint Faustina's spiritual writings on Divine Mercy. If we were to ask Saint Faustina for advice on citizenship and how to obtain it she would I sure begin with two words mercy and trust as these form the foundation stones of any relationship with God.

Before going any further it is important to understand that Saint Faustina's spirituality introduces us to the spiritual realm and is not separated from the real world she lives in. On the contrary, her humble trust in the divine mercy brings to completion all the tasks of her daily life see D.S.F. 1694-1695 for an example of this. The Kingdom of Heaven is very much an active force in the world and its citizens herald its coming by the action of divine mercy in their lives. Whether through the word of mercy, the prayer of mercy, or the deed of mercy followers of Jesus excel in love of God and neighbour. Showing to an unbelieving world that "Love is patient, kind. It is not Jealous. . ." (1Cor.13:4-7).

Christians practicing a ministry of mercy live in the world but are not of it. Instead they reject the maxims of this world and the will to power, pride, and selfishness. Preferring instead to: "Act Justly, Love tenderly, and walk humbly with God." (Micah 6:8). Most of us would fail in these qualities, which is why the battle for the kingdom of heaven begins within. Christians choose to learn how to allow the mercy of God to take hold of them by cooperating with the graces that will allow them some mastery of over senses and emotions in order to do the will of God. This is why words like Prayer, Fasting, Patience, Silence, Perseverance and Self-control form spiritual weapons in the Christian arsenal.

Although this seems like a daunting task and the road is difficult yet, we can be assured that the victory is won. Jesus gives this assurance to Saint Faustina with the words:

"When the sinner turns to My mercy he gives Me the greatest praise and is the glory of my passion. When a soul praises my goodness, Satan trembles before it and flees to the very bottom of hell." (S.F. D.378).

Sister Faustina's mission was to remind the world of the truth of God's mercy and transmit new forms of the devotion to mankind. Her mission was to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Our Lord:

"You have to speak to the world His great mercy and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Him who will come not as a merciful Saviour, but as a just Judge." (S.F.D.635).

No one not even Saint Faustina knew when this day would come nor was it important to her to know the exact time. Far more important was to tell the world of the unfathomable love of God for humanity and the need for to respond to this invitation.

Our response to God's love should be one of reciprocity, in this way God's love becomes active in the world. By the same token the Reign of God is made known to the world showing that the Kingdom of heaven is very definitely in the world. So being a citizen of heaven places the responsibility on us of attending to our "Father's business " (Lk. 2:49.). One way of doing this is to take up the challenge of the Divine Mercy message.

Honouring Divine Mercy Sunday, saying the Chaplet of Mercy, imploring the Mercy of God For the world and our country. Exercising mercy by the kind word, practicing deeds of mercy through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Cultivating a deep love of the Blessed Sacrament and spending time listening to Jesus in order to understand what His will is and trying to practice it everyday. These are the characteristics of Christians who are known by their love and are citizens of heaven.

Gerard Duff. M.A.

Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, MA 01263. www.thedivinemercy.org Used with permission and gratitude.