2nd Sunday of Easter / Divine Mercy Sunday (Year B) - 7 April
7th April 2024
“We have only to beg pardon and all is repaired by that act of love. Jesus opens His heart to us. He forgets our infidelities and does not want to recall them. He will do even more. He will love us even better than before we committed that fault.” - St Therese of Lisieux
A reflection on today's Gospel by the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen:
"St John, in his vision of heaven and the Lamb, pictures the Lamb coming again on the last day to judge us. All will see Him, even those who have pierced Him. He will come bearing the same scars that He showed to Thomas on His hands and feet and side.
"Hands that broke bread to signify His own broken body. Hands that ministered bread to the starving. Hands that laid themselves on the heads of little children. Hands that touched lepers. Hands that were calloused in the carpenter’s shop.
"Feet. Feet the mother worried about as they pattered over lumber and nails and hammers, and brought her visions of the man who would be put to death by the same lumber and nails and hammers. Feet the Magdalen would wash. Feet before which the Syrophoenician woman threw herself in petition, in love.
"The wound in the heart. It was large enough for a hand, for our Lord said to Thomas, ‘Put your hand into My side.’
"So when this Lamb comes, bearing these signs on hands and feet and side, we will all see the scars. We will be judged by them. He will say, ‘Show Me your hands. Have they been scarred from giving? Are they scarred in service? Are they scarred in labour? Are they scarred in relieving the cares of feverish brows? Have they been scarred in giving food to the hungry? "For I was hungry and you gave Me to eat."
"‘Show Me your feet. Have they gone on missions? Have they helped missionaries? Have they gone about doing good? Have they often made a track down the middle aisle of the church to visit the Eucharistic Saviour? Have they ever wandered to the feet of the crucifix?
"‘Show Me your side. Is it scarred in pain out of love for Him? Has the heart been scarred in love – not in need-love or self-satisfying love, but in gift-love? Is the side scarred from thinking about My Passion and My death that you may glory in My Resurrection?’
"This is the way you’ll be judged: hands and feet and side."
(Through the Year with Fulton Sheen)
Easter Blessing Prayer for Families
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 🙏💖💐
Divine Mercy Sunday
On 13 June 2002 St Pope John Paul II decreed a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions to the faithful who, on Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church/chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for any sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (i.e. Merciful Jesus, I trust in You!).
There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass this Sunday followed by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Benediction. All are welcome to attend. Divine Mercy Prayer Guides are available at the paper table or online at www.divinemercy.org
Divine Mercy Sunday / The Annunciation of the Lord
This year we are very blessed to have the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord on the day immediately following Divine Mercy Sunday. On both these days we should especially pray for the conversion of souls so they may all come to love and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.