" Mercy is always a gratuitous act of our heavenly Father, an unconditional and unmerited act of love. Consequently, we cannot risk opposing the full freedom of the love with which God enters into the life of every person. Mercy is this concrete action of love that, by forgiving, transforms and changes our lives. In this way, the divine mystery of mercy is made manifest. God is merciful (cf. Ex 34:6); his mercy lasts for ever (cf. Ps 136). From generation to generation, it embraces all those who trust in him and it changes them, by bestowing a share in his very life." (Pope Francis)

There are many instances in Jesus' life that he ministered the mercy of God as a healing salve to the wound of human misery. Without misery there is no need for mercy. Recall the case of the woman caught in adultery, who, according to the Mosaic Law, should be stoned to death. Jesus, the Icon of mercy, shows mercy first to the accusers, who are equally sinful, and then to the woman. The accusers left in their misery. But the woman heard the words of mercy and forgiveness. Jesus indicated the response to mercy: "Go, and sin no more." The grace of mercy gave  her an opportunity to change her way of life and to embrace the life of grace being offered her.

Each time we go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation,  we walk in aware of our misery. We walk out renewed in the shared life of God, because of God's mercy. We hear the same challenge: "Go, and sin no more."

'