There was a polish nun by the name of Sr. Faustina who had visions of Christ. In one conversation with her, he asked her to paint an image of his Divine Mercy flowing from his sacred heart. This she did, and it shows a ray of white light (representing baptism) and a ray of red light (symbolizing the blood of the Eucharist), coming from the heart of Christ. 

Pope John Paul II had a special devotion to Sr. Faustina & canonized her a saint in the year 2000. He then proclaimed the Sunday after Easter as “Divine Mercy Sunday” and in fact, he died on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday in 2005. St. John Paul II was canonized by Pope Francis on Divine Mercy Sunday last year (2014). Pope Francis himself speaks frequently of God’s mercy and has declared a “Year of Mercy” which will begin in the fall of 2015. 

It is not enough for us however to simply bask in the Divine Mercy of God. We must also be willing to extend the mercy God shows us to those who have offended us in some way. Jesus insisted on this when he taught us the prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” With whom do I still have a resentment? Who do I need to forgive? After God has covered me in his mercy, will I be stingy with mine?