"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy."(Mt 5:7) These are simple but very powerful and beautiful words. Mercy, forgiveness, and compassion kept running through my mind. It was at the Divine Mercy Shrine where I really experienced the mercy of God. I had the opportunity to go to confession at the shrine outside on the grass field. To be honest, I felt nervous as I approached the confessional. I believe that we have all felt this nervousness before. Going to confession can be one of the most difficult things to do but it is the best way in which God can reveal His mercy in our lives.
After I confessed my sins, I waited anxiously to hear what the priest would say. I knew right when he began to talk that Jesus was speaking to me. These were loving words like as if a father were to help guide his son in life. In the back of my mind, I still had the thought that it would really take some time before I would be a witness of the true love and mercy of God. It was as if Jesus focused less on my sins and more on the kind of person He created me to be. This brought me so much joy.
Later that evening, my group and I attended the World Youth Day opening mass. It was such a refreshing experience because I felt the mercy of God again and again especially when it came to receiving Jesus during Holy Communion. The moment Jesus touched the tip of my tongue, my whole body felt so overwhelmed with His love and mercy. I cried with tears of joy and could not control my emotions. I wanted to fall on my knees.
To end my World Youth Day reflection, the mercy of God can give us true happiness in life as long as we desire for His mercy. The world needs people of mercy. I cannot give what I do not have, but I am very grateful to God for revealing His mercy upon me. Now, I can share God's mercy with others. This has definitely inspired and encouraged me, as a seminarian, to go out and be the mercy I want to see in the world.
Jeffrey Roxas is 19 years old and in his second year of studies as a seminarian at Juan Diego House. He is a WYD pilgrim who traveled with a group from his home parish, St. Philomena Catholic Church in Carson.
