Most of us have been a “doubting Thomas” at one time or another, but praise God we keep on coming back to me drawn deeper into the mystery of God’s love.  And praise God that Father Tom Peyton has come back to celebrate Mass while I head off for a few days of R&R.
I am grateful for the generosity of our retired priests.  Thank you Father Tom!!

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday.  It has only been a part of our liturgy for the last 20 years, so an old goat like me whose devotional life was formed many years ago still prefers my devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  But many, many Catholics have found devotion to the Divine Mercy to be very meaningful and like my own devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Divine Mercy devotion is rooted in God’s great love for us all.

In the Jubilee Year 2000, St. John Paul II proclaimed that from that year forward the Second Sunday of Easter would be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This was proclaimed at the Canonization Mass of St. Faustina Kawalska, who worked throughout her life to make all aware of the merciful love of God. St. Faustina (1905–1938) was born and raised in Poland.  As a member of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, she worked as a cook, gardener, and porter. In her spiritual life, her contemplation on the Mercy of God led her to develop a childlike trust in God and deep love for her neighbor.  St. Faustina promoted the Chaplet of Divine Mercy which consists of the recitation of prayers to the Eternal Father with the use of the rosary for the sake of Christ’s sorrowful passion.  The Chaplet is prayed as follows:

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed.

2. On the Our Father beads, recite the following:
“Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”

3. On the ten Hail Mary beads, say the following:
“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

4. Repeat step two and three for all five decades.

5. Conclude by reciting three times:
“Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

By reflecting more personally on the graces won through the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our hearts will be more fully aware of the mercy of God for us personally and for the sake of the world.

Bringing the Gospel Home:  How can you help people experience the merciful love of God?

Corporal Works of Mercy
The Corporal Works of Mercy are these kind acts by which we help our neighbors with their material and physical needs.

feed the hungry --- shelter the homeless --- clothe the naked --- visit the sick and imprisoned
--- bury the dead --- give alms to the poor
Spiritual Works of Mercy
The Spiritual Works of Mercy are acts of compassion, as listed below, by which we help our neighbors with their emotional and spiritual needs.

Instruct --- advise --- console --- comfort --- forgive --- bear wrongs patiently