Divine Mercy Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, April 16, 2023

Masses for Divine Mercy Sunday will be the regular weekend schedule

Adoration in the church will be per the normal schedule

Readings for Divine Mercy Sunday

1st Reading (Acts 5:12-16)
Responsorial Psalm  (Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24)
2nd Reading  (Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19)
Gospel Reading  (John 20:19-31)

Reflection on Divine Mercy Sunday

The Divine Mercy of God

In today’s first reading, we gain an understanding of how the early Church grew every day because of the acts of mercy and sharing, sacrificial agápe love, practiced by the early Christians.  They expressed their love and mercy by sharing what they had with everyone in need. In the second reading, St. Peter glorifies God, the Father of Jesus Christ, for showing us His mercy by granting to His Son, Jesus Resurrection from the dead and a glorious Ascension into Heaven, thus offering us the assurance of our own resurrection, entry into Heaven, and “imperishable and unfading" heavenly bliss.  In today’s Gospel, as we recall Jesus’ appearance to the Apostles on that first Easter evening, we are vividly reminded of the Sacrament of Reconciliation – the power to forgive sins which Our Lord gave to His Apostles, saying, "Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain, they are retained".  Today’s Gospel also emphasizes the importance of Faith in the all-pervading presence of the risen Lord of Mercy.  To “believe without having seen” is every later Christian’s experience.  We are invited to receive liberation from doubts and hesitation by surrendering our lives to the risen Lord of Mercy.  Let us ask God our Father to open our hearts so that we may receive His Mercy in the form of the Holy Spirit.