God's Mercy is Forever

In modern parlance, the word “forever” has been continuously used in reference to people who are in love (“Mayroong forever” or “I believe in forever”). Likewise, such word is oftentimes abused when people fall out of love (“Walang forever!” or “I don’t believe in forever!”). Sometimes, young people ask, “Naniniwala ka pa ba sa forever?” (Do you still believe in forever?). “Forever” transcends romantic love. It refers rst and foremost to God who is unending Love. Since God has rst loved us though we are sinners (cf. 1 Jn 4:10), love is now no longer a mere “command”; it is the response to the gift of love with which God draws near to us (Deus Caritas est, 1). Hence, God initiated “forever” for our sake so to speak and we respond to it. 

Our response in our earthly sojourn is to experience “forever” by sharing the love and mercy that we receive from God to others for “whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love” (1 Jn 4:8). Let us make our own the psalmist's exclamation: “The Lord's mercy endures forever! (Ps 118:2). Pope Francis in his homily last 3 April 2016, Divine Mercy Sunday, says, “Truly, God’s mercy is forever; it never ends, it never runs out, it never gives up when faced with closed doors, and it never tires. In this forever, we find strength in moments of trial and weakness because we are sure that God does not abandon us. He remains with us forever. Let us give thanks for so great a love, which we nd impossible to grasp. Let us ask for the grace to never grow tired of drawing from the well of the Father’s mercy and bringing it to the world: let us ask that we too may be merciful, to spread the power of the Gospel everywhere.” 

At the end of our life, God sustains us with His Mercy for “those who die in God's grace and friendship and are perfectly puri ed live forever with Christ.They are like God forever (CCC 1023), for they “see Him as He is,” face to face (1 Jn 3:2; cf. 1 Cor 13:12; Rev 22:4). Yes, we believe in “forever” because we believe in God who is Love and Mercy.