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I. THE MOTIVES OF THE DIVINE MERCY.

1. The promotion of His own glory. To show mercy is the most sublime work, and, emphatically, a Divine action.

(1) Never despair of the boundless mercy of God; to doubt is to dishonour Him.

(2) Show mercy also to others, that God's Spirit may be made manifest in you.

2. His holiness. God, by His love of all that is good, and by His hatred of all that is bad, is moved to extirpate what is morally bad. This design is best accomplished by the conversion of the sinner, because if he were to die a sinner, that which is bad would be and would remain permanent in him. Hence the long suffering of God, His attempts to save the sinner, His readiness to forgive, that sin may be abolished.

3. The love of the Father for His Son. Jesus has purchased and redeemed mankind by His death. By losing one soul, He loses a most dear property, the price of His own precious blood. Therefore, the Father is moved by love to save the redeemed and to recover the lost soul (John 6:39).

4. His infinite benevolence.

II. THE IMMENSE GREATNESS OF DIVINE MERCY.

1. Like all the Divine perfections, it is as great as God Himself. "Thy mercy is above the heavens."

2. It extends to all sins.

(1) Despair not because of their number (Isaiah 1:18).

(2) Nor on account of their hideousness (Romans 5:20). Have not the saintly penitents obtained forgiveness of the most hideous crimes? "A murderer is the first stone God made use of in establishing His eternal kingdom," says .

3. It embraces all sinners without exception.

4. It lasts till death.

III. THE WONDERFUL MANNER OF ITS MANIFESTATION.

1. Before the sinner is converted. This love is manifested(1) By graciously sparing him who, a criminal as he is, has forfeited every right to temporal and eternal life. When all nature is in arms against the sinner, God restrains it.

(2) By incessantly seeking, inviting, urging, with such tender solicitude, as if the Shepherd had forgotten all His faithful sheep.

(3) By ardently longing for Him.

2. Whilst the sinner is converted.

(1) By receiving him kindly and meeting him graciously.

(2) By forgiving and forgetting all offences.

(3) By rejoicing exceedingly at finding again him who was lost.

3. After the sinner is converted.

(1) By granting His efficacious graces.

(2) By recalling to life the merits which in consequence of mortal sin had died away (Zechariah 10:6).

(3) By admitting the penitent to a participation in the sacraments and ordinances of the Church.

(4) By receiving him into His everlasting joy and happiness in heaven.

(Querico Rossi.)

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KJV: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

WEB: But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,