Pope Francis’ reference to Psalm 70:1 is in relation to God’s willingness to help us even before we ask for help. In other words, mercy is God’s predisposition. Our requests for help are never interruptions. Mercy is not something God offers us reluctantly, or after we have groveled for a while.
Not long ago, I passed a fire station. The big doors were open, and the trucks were inside. Before anyone calls for help, the city has already spent a lot of money to be ready and able to respond. A 911 system is in place. When we make a call, we do not hear the dispatcher say, “Why are you bothering me about this?” Instead, we hear, “We will be there as quickly as we can.”
God’s heart is on the ready to hurry to help us–to come to our assistance. Everything is prepared in advance. Similarly, the Church is meant to stand ready to respond to any and all calls for help. No calls are to go unanswered–no pre-requisites for help are required. The call comes in, and we are to respond in Jesus’ Name. Such is the nature of mercy–ever ready to hurry to help us–predisposed to come to our assistance.
Oboedire 