Second Sunday of Easter

Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35, Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24,

Letter of Saint John 5:1-6, & John 20:19-31

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, the eighth day of the Feast of Easter in which Saint Pope John Paul II, in 2001, said that we receive "the Easter Gift." What is this special Easter Gift?" It is the extraordinary gift of the total forgiveness of all sins and punishment that the Catholic Church offers in the form of a plenary indulgence. Why today? What sets this day apart from any other day?

Today is the Octave Day of Easter—the last day of the world's most glorious feast. Shouldn't the world's greatest feast offer the world's greatest gift? The gift of total forgiveness from all sins and punishment, or in other words—a ticket to heaven. So that if we were to die today, we would be in this perfect state of sanctifying grace.

Have you ever contemplated what Divine Mercy means? The word divine means "given by God' or "like God." The word mercy means "the refraining from harming or punishing offenders." Simply put, Divine Mercy is God refraining from harming or punishing sinful offenders.

In His Divine Mercy image, Jesus is moving towards us and asking us to trust Him. He is asking us not to be afraid to approach Him. He asks us not to be afraid to come and ask Him for mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He calls us to wash away our sins and receive Holy Communion without stain because He wants to give us the absolute greatest gift possible. For Holy Communion to be miraculous, we have to be completely clean from any sin or desire to sin.

Friends, please do not miss this most excellent opportunity to be prepared for the Second Coming of Christ. We never know when He will call on us. We must always be ready before Jesus, our merciful Divine Judge.

Question of the Day: How will you ask Jesus for His Divine Mercy and recommend those you love to do the same?

Prayer: "Jesus, I Trust in You."

Prosit