Divine Mercy Sunday

04-18-2020Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi

Dear Friends,

This Second Sunday after Easter is dedicated as Divine Mercy Sunday. Often, people wonder why Pope John Paul II chose this Sunday as Divine Mercy Sunday. We find a clue in the Gospel Reading today. We are told that Jesus breathed on the Apostles and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:22-23). In doing this, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as the Sacrament of Divine Mercy, through which God forgives us our sins and reconciles us to himself.

Praying for the Divine Mercy this weekend has a uniquely deeper meaning for all of us this year as a result of the current viral pandemic. In recognition of that, Pope Francis, in his Urbi et Orbi blessing on March 27th, included the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet as one of the requirements for obtaining plenary indulgence. The Decree stated: “This Apostolic Penitentiary also willingly grants a Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions on the occasion of the current world epidemic, also to those faithful who off er a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, or Eucharistic adoration, or reading the Holy Scriptures for at least half an hour, or the recitation of the Holy Rosary, or the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross, or the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, to implore from Almighty God the end of the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted, and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to Himself.”

Hearing in the Gospel today, that the Apostles were behind closed doors when Jesus appeared to them on this second Sunday a[ er the resurrection, might remind us of our current situation as we watch Mass online from our homes. We were told they were not able to go and worship in the Temple for fear of the authorities. While this is quite different from the reason why we are unable to worship together inside our Church, one thing that we share in common is the deep longing for the presence of Jesus. Jesus knew what was going on in their minds, he knew the needs within their hearts, he answered their prayers by appearing among them and bestowing peace upon them. As you pray at home this weekend, and as you join us at Mass virtually, may you feel the presence of Jesus, like the Apostles, and may you experience the peace that only God can give.

Thank you and remain blessed,

Fr. James

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