Bottom line: God's justice has a name - the Divine Mercy.

We have just listened to St. Mark's account of the Passion. As I was reflecting on it - especially on the part played by St. Peter - an anecdote from the Civil War came to my mind. Although it is humorous, it has a serious point.

The anecdote tells about a soldier brought before General Robert E. Lee. Accused of misconduct, the soldier was trembling. The general said to him, "Do not be afraid, son. Here you will receive justice." The soldier looked at the general and said, "Sir, that is what I am afraid of."

Like that soldier, Peter would have reason to tremble. He had boasted about his bravery, how he would always stand by Jesus. Yet when Jesus needed him most, he nodded off. Perhaps one could forgive him for falling asleep, but later - when he was wide awake - he denied Jesus. "I do not know the man." Some rock!

In strict justice, Peter should have been punished - at the very least, removed as head of the Church. In Christ's passion, however, a deeper justice is at work. That is what we will discover this Holy Week. God's justice has a name - it is called the Divine Mercy. I invite you to return on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. These are the great days of grace - of Divine Mercy.

Like Peter, you and I have made confident declarations and then fell down on the job. We made promises, buy did not deliver. Maybe we even acted like we did not know Jesus. Because of all this we feel a certain fear: a fear of God, a fear of his justice. We might even feel like giving up. Or just to wallow in self-pity.

Here is the challenge of Holy Week: to stop looking at ourselves - and start looking at Jesus. This week we fix our attention on Christ crucified. There we see a more profound justice at work. It has a name: the Divine Mercy.

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