Human language falls silent before the mystery of resurrection. Only one word remains to us: Alleluia. Pope Benedict the XVI proclaims it so succinctly when he states, "God exists: that is the real message of Easter. Anyone who even begins to grasp what this means, also knows what it means to be redeemed." With great joy in his heart, Father Robert extends to all the blessings of Easter in joyful exultation.

We continue then to explore the meaning of Divine Mercy as we prepare for next Sunday's celebration (Sunday, April 19, 2009). Picking up where we left off last week, we will now discuss 1) how to prepare for receiving God's mercy, and, 2) how this promise draws us to the sacrament. However, we must first clarify that the celebration of Mercy Sunday DOES NOT and I repeat, DOES NOT, compete with, nor endanger the integrity of the Easter Season. For you see, Mercy Sunday is the Octave Day of Easter, a day that celebrates the merciful love of God shining through the whole Easter Triduum and the whole Easter mystery.

Lets look at this celebration in this light. The recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy does not distract us from the focus on the liturgy - why? Because the Chaplet of Divine Mercy is an intercessory prayer based on the Passion of Christ, and the Image of the Divine Mercy is a manifestation of the Risen Christ. When we combine the Novena of Chaplets with the image our minds and hearts become focused on the Paschal Mystery - the death and resurrection of Christ! What could be more appropriate at this time in the liturgical year! Grace and mercy combined as a force of direction that leads our souls to holiness!

What are the extraordinary graces of Divine Mercy Sunday? According to Saint Faustina's diary, Jesus Christ made a special promise (Diary, 699). Jesus wants to pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the font of his mercy. It is recorded in Saint Faustina's diary that extraordinary graces will be made available by the devout reception of Holy Communion on this Feast Day. Three times Christ makes this promise: 1) I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls who will go to confession and receive holy communion on the Feast of My Mercy (Diary, 1109); 2) Whoever approaches the Font of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment (Diary, 300); 3) The soul that will go to confession and receive holy communion will obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment (Diary 699).

Now you have a better picture of what Divine Mercy is and why we will have a public Eucharistic procession. Christ said, "I want the image to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it (Diary, 341)."

To reinforce Christ's promise, we need to understand that His desire is to make this day, one which will summarize celebration, proclamation, and application of the graces of His merciful love that flows to us from the Paschal Mystery!

Now for the sacrament. Jesus wants us to realize the infinite value of confession and communion as miracles of mercy. Since the Eucharist is His own body, blood, soul, and divinity; it is the Fountain of Life (Diary, 300). Here we have before us the Living God, longing to pour out Himself as mercy into our hearts! Jesus points this out because so many people either see no need to receive Holy Communion or they simply receive out of habit. Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 explains this so well - "They eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, without recognizing the body of the Lord!" Let's face it, the sacrament of confession and holy communion is to wash us clean from our sins, to turn to Him with trust and to begin our lives anew.

Come, join our parish on Sunday, April 19 for this great celebration - be Christ’s witnesses to the world.

Next week - the Theology of the Extraordinary Graces Promised for Mercy Sunday.

Deacon Ron Michieli