It is 8th April 2018. We celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter – Divine Mercy Sunday. The readings are from Acts 4:32-35; the second reading is from 1 John 5:1-6; and the Gospel from John 20:19-31. It was named by Pope John Paul II at the canonization of St. Maria Faustina on April 30, 2000, and then officially decreed by the Vatican. Divine Mercy Sunday is the union of all the mysteries and graces of Holy Week and Easter Week. The feast focuses the light of the Risen Christ into a radiant beam of merciful love and grace for the whole world. Jesus spoke again St. Faustina, of His desire that the Solemnity of Divine Mercy be established: “On that day (the 8th day of Easter each year) the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.” The first reading insists about the unity in community. Without unity of heart and mind, one cannot experience the compassion and mercy among the community members. Unity brings unconditional love for one another in the Christian community. A family without unity is opposed to the very purpose of its establishment. Where there is no unity, there is no presence of the Holy Spirit, no spirit of belongingness and sharing and the individualism and selfishness breed in every turn of the existence and living of the community. Due to this most of us locked up in our fears, anger, stubbornness of heart, resentment, retaliation, backbiting and gossiping and character assassination. Unless and until we experience and believe in His divine mercy we cannot show mercy to one another. Divine mercy needs to be experienced in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In the second Reading St. John beautifully words it by saying our adherence to the commandments of love enriches our hearts to love God and our neighbour. Every Eucharistic celebration we wilfully and fully participate is the moment of experiencing divine mercy. The Gospel encourages to acknowledge the presence of God’s mercy in His Beloved Son Jesus, the Risen Lord without doubting in His merciful mentoring in our lives, we must confess: “My Lord, and my God.” Jesus appreciates St. Thomas for his attempt to believe Him as the Risen Lord. Jesus promises peace, Holy Spirit and the mission to forgive, love and to build the church. Jesus lives today among us when we are living in peace, harmony, respect for one another. Jesus breathes love and mercy to all who believe in Him. Jesus appears to all who believe and worship Him as the Saviour and Lord. Let us trust in Him so as to enjoy His mercy all through our lives. May we repeat umpteen times: Jesus I trust in you. May the Lord help us to under His depth of mercy and to be open and receive His Divine Mercy today and the days ahead of us. All of us are entitled and eligible for God’s mercy. May you have a day full of mercy and blessings of the Risen Lord.

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