April 16
Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday of Divine Mercy
“Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting.”
Readings
Reflection
Christ is Risen!
I pray that everyone continues to experience a joyful and blessed Easter!
It is important for us to remember that Easter is not just one day, but the Easter Season lasts for fifty days–a time when as individuals, and as Church, we celebrate that Jesus has risen from the dead, and has given us the gift of life eternal, if we choose to accept it.
This Second Sunday of Easter, known as Divine Mercy Sunday, is an opportunity for us to remember that Christ was not only there for us during the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, but is with us each day of our life. Let me take this opportunity to offer some information on the Divine Mercy and its importance in our life.
In the Roman Catholic faith, Divine Mercy is a devotion to Jesus Christ that is associated with the apparitions of Jesus to Saint Faustina Kowalska. These apparitions are said to have occurred in 1931. The beautiful and inspiring image that we see here, according to Saint Faustina’s diary, describes God’s loving mercy to all people, but especially to all those who are gripped by sin. The image of The Divine Mercy inspires us to trust in Christ’s endless mercy and goodness and leads us to show that same mercy to all people as we act as a conduit of God’s love towards them. The Church celebrates the Divine Mercy on the Second Sunday of Easter! We commemorate the Hour of Mercy, which is 3 PM and according to tradition, is the hour of Christ’s death.
May we all turn to Christ, in not only our time of need, but also every day, so we cannot only offer prayers of petition to Christ, but also that we might offer prayers of thanksgiving!
Peace,
Fr. John
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