Sunday Reflections

Receiving and Sharing Merciful Love

In 2000, when Pope John Paul II was canonizing St. Faustina, he declared that the Second Sunday of Easter will be called Divine Mercy Sunday for the entire Church. This Sunday, let us reflect on Jesus who longs to forgive us and to shower His love and mercy on us. We should never tire of running to Him for healing. St. Therese of Lisieux says “even though I had on my conscience all the sins that can be committed, I would go, my heart broken with sorrow, and throw myself into Jesus' arms, for I know how much He loves the prodigal child who returns to Him.”

As good stewards of Christ we should first accept the mercy of God in our lives and then share it with others through our acts. Some spiritual works of mercy we can begin to cultivate are to “instruct the ignorant” and “counsel the doubtful” by helping with parish catechesis ministries. We can also “forgive offenses” and “pray for the living and the dead” through personal prayer as well as by joining various prayer groups within the parish. Some corporal works of mercy we can adopt is to “feed the hungry” and “clothe the naked” by taking part in parish organizations such as the St. Vincent de Paul society. We can also “visit the sick” and “visit the imprisoned” by seeking ministries that care for the sick and elderly.

This Divine Mercy Sunday let us seek to be filled with God’s mercy. Let us then let His mercy overflow into our deeds within the parish so that we may become stewards of God’s merciful love.

Summary

As good stewards of Christ we should first accept the mercy of God in our lives and then share it with others through our acts. Some spiritual works of mercy we can begin to cultivate are to “instruct the ignorant” and “counsel the doubtful” by helping with parish catechesis ministries. Likewise, some corporal works of mercy we can adopt is to “feed the hungry” and “clothe the naked” by taking part in parish organizations such as the St. Vincent de Paul society.