Dear Friends in Christ,

  Brothers and sisters: God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —, raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. These words are from the letter to the Ephesians in the second reading for the 4th Sunday of Lent, cycle B (i.e. Ephesians 2:4-10).

  “Dives in Misericordia” (i.e. Rich in Mercy) was the second encyclical written by Pope St. John Paul II. It is an examination of the role of mercy. This includes both God's mercy and also the need for human mercy. The biblical parable of the Prodigal Son is a central theme. The encyclical was promulgated on November 30, 1980.

  George Weigel, in his excellent biography of St. John Paul II entitled “Witness to Hope,” said that this encyclical is the clearest expression of the pastoral soul of John Paul II. I would encourage everyone to read this encyclical especially during this season of Lent. In this encyclical, Pope John Paul II focuses on three main topics, namely: 1. The Call to Constant Conversion, 2. Mercy Revealed in the Cross of Christ, and 3. The Parable of the Prodigal Son and Lost Sonship ( https://www.setonmagazine.com/
catholic/spirituality/rich-in-mercy-3-lessons-john-
paul-iis-encyclical).

God bless you!

Fr. Dan Redmond