"Judas deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of
silver to the chief priests and elders, saying : ' I have sinned in betraying
innocent blood.' They said: 'What is that to us? Look to it yourself.'
Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged
himself." (Mt 27,3-5)
Saint Catherine heard God say to her:
This is the sin that is never forgiven, now or ever: the refusal, the scorning of my mercy. For this offends me more than all the other sins they have committed. So the despair of Judas displeased me more and was a greater insult to my Son than his betrayal had been. Therefore, such as these are reproved for this false judgment of considering their sin to be greater than my mercy... They are reproved also for their injustice in grieving more for their own plight than for having offended me.They are being unjust in this because they are not giving me what is mine, nor taking for themselves what belongs to them. It is their duty to offer love and bitter heartfelt contrition in my presence for the sins they have committed against me. But they have done the opposite. They have lavished such tender love on themselves and felt so sorry about the punishment they expect for their sins! So you see how unjust they are. They will be punished, therefore, on both accounts. They have scorned my mercy, so I turn them over to my justice.
Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), Dominican tertiary, Doctor of the Church, co-patron of Europe. Dialogue, 37 (trans. © Classics of Western spirituality)
Today we begin the Novena to the Divine Mercy. Click here to join in with the countless faithful who are participating in this most powerful prayer. It offers a beautiful way to console the most Sacred Heart of Jesus as we contemplate with great love and compassion His Passion and Death on the most holy Cross, suffered for our sake and for the redemption of all humanity.
God bless you on this Good Friday and always!
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