This weekend we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday.
Jesus came into our lives to offer us mercy and love. He reaches out to both Jews and Gentiles, people from every walk of life. So it is fitting we celebrate and pay attention to the Divine Mercy of God.
Our Divine Mercy devotion was primarily due to St. Faustina Kowalka. She is a Polish Sister of Mercy who had mystical visions of Jesus and his mercy and love for all of us. She was canonized by St. John Paul II in 2000. There is a plenary indulgence that is offered today in celebration of the feast. You must go to Mass, say the Divine Mercy Chaplet, go to confession within two weeks and pray for the intention of the Holy Father. There will be a special service for this occasion at the Cathedral today beginning at 1:30 p.m. Adoration and the chaplet will begin at 2:00 p.m. and Mass will be at 3:00 p.m. Here at St. Paul we will have a holy hour beginning at 4:00 p.m. with the Divine Mercy Chaplet that will end with our regular 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass. You are certainly invited to attend either of these celebrations.
Our reading for the Acts of the Apostles speaks to us about those early Christian communities. The Apostles are witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus. They are fearless in their desire to spread the “Good News.” They model Christ’s love in their own lives as examples to all others to see.
In the Letter from John we are called to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. If we do this we are begotten by God. God’s love is manifested by our love for others. So, it is meant to be lived out by words and actions in everyday life.
In John’s Gospel we hear two occasions Jesus appears to his disciples and offers the peace. The Apostle Thomas makes a profound procession of faith. We too are invited to profess our faith in Christ Jesus and give witness by our lives.
