“Blessed Divine Mercy” 

Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday! Today we con clude the Easter octave. These eight days are to highlight the victory of the Cross of our Lord Jesus. Chocolates and candies on Easter remind us of the sweetness of new and eternal life that Jesus has won for us. We often know the bitterness of life and its trials. Yet no matter how hard things seem at times, Jesus is the light of the world. He shows us the way and because of the Cross we know that at times it is not easy. 

These trials at times point out that we are not perfect and have not handled things well. So what a great blessing that our Lord offers on this Divine Mercy Sunday. Jesus revealed this incredible source of mercy in the late 1930s before the Second World War. WWII pointed out the reality of a fallen world in need of a savior. Healing from that took years and the acceptance of mercy and God’s grace. 

We also know and experience the need for God’s grace in our daily lives. This feast should allow us to look to our own hearts to see how we live mercy in our daily lives. How patient, how forgiving, how understanding are we with those around us? 

Part of the devotion of Divine Mercy is the Chaplet that is to be offered at 3 pm (or when you can). It is an opportunity to pray for our beloved dead. As you are aware, many are not having a funeral Mass for their loved ones. Many reasons are offered nonetheless this prayer is not happening. So who prays for them? …. I encourage you to write down your wishes for a funeral Mass making your family aware of your desire. For all those who are not having a funeral Mass offering the chaplet would be an act of charity. As we enter the Easter season, may it be filled with the joy and hope that the resurrection offers us.

—Father John A. Potaczek