FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
Dear Parishioners,
In 2000, St. Pope John Paul II canonized St. Faustina, and made the second Sunday of Easter to be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. St. Faustina was a Polish nun gifted with mystical visions, messages, and revelations from the Risen Jesus. The image of the Divine Mercy of Jesus whose heart shone two rays, one red (representing blood) and the other “pale” (symbolizing water), with the words “Jesus, I trust in you” at the bottom, is as revealed to St. Faustina by Jesus. She wrote in her diary that Jesus told her, “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish.” Below are three other important messages: “Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All works of my hand are crowned with mercy” (No. 301). “My child, life on earth is a struggle indeed; a great struggle for my kingdom. But fear not, because you are not alone. I am always supporting you, so lean on Me as you struggle, fearing nothing. Take the vessel of trust and draw from the fountain of life – for yourself, but also for other souls, especially such as are distrustful of My goodness” (No. 1488). “When you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it.
Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw grace solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls. The proud remain always in poverty and misery because My grace turns away from them to humble souls” (No. 1602).
As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, we reflect on the mercy of Jesus on Thomas. It was an act of mercy that Jesus repeated his appearance in order that Thomas might experience him. It was an act of mercy that Jesus allowed Thomas to touch his wounds and be healed of his doubt. When Thomas was healed, he became transformed. Thomas, then, made what I consider the greatest confession of faith: “My Lord, and My God.” Thomas confessed who Jesus was to him, his Lord, and his God.
Thomas invites us to ask ourselves, “Who is Jesus to me?” Not just what is said about Jesus. Thomas teaches us to have personal connection with Jesus. We experience the power of Jesus’ divine mercy more when we relate to him personally. We have better opportunities and privileges than Thomas to receive divine mercy. Thomas, only, touched the wounds of Jesus, but we receive Jesus body, blood, soul and divinity. It is important, therefore, that we receive Jesus with faith, trust and reverence, and not to receive him unworthily. St. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.
A person should examine himself, and so eat and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgement on himself.” On Divine Mercy Sunday we pray, earnestly, that our trust in Jesus will increase and that by his sorrowful passion we will continue to experience his mercy on us and the whole world; for without him we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Peace,
Fr. Monteleone
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