Padre’s Points to Ponder – 4/10/26
On this Second Sunday of Easter, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast given to the Church through the mystical experiences of St. Faustina Kowalska and officially established for the universal Church by Pope John Paul II in the Jubilee Year 2000.
At first glance, it might seem almost redundant. After all, did we not just celebrate the Resurrection? Is not Easter itself the triumph of mercy? Yes, it is, and yet, the Church, like a wise mother, invites us to linger here, drawing our attention to the very heart of the Resurrection: the inexhaustible mercy of God.
In the Gospel for this Sunday, we encounter the Risen Christ appearing to His apostles. He does not come with reproach or condemnation, even though they had abandoned Him in His moment of greatest need. Instead, His first words are, “Peace be with you.” He breathes on them and gives them the authority to forgive sins. In this moment, we see that mercy is not an abstract idea, but a Person. Mercy is Jesus Himself, wounded yet glorified, offering forgiveness and reconciliation.
Through St. Faustina, Jesus made a striking promise: that on this day, the floodgates of His mercy are opened in a particular way. Those who approach the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion with trust in His mercy receive not only forgiveness, but a complete renewal of grace in their souls. Whether one reflects deeply on the theology of this promise or simply receives it with childlike faith, the invitation is clear: come, and do not be afraid.
This feast also speaks powerfully to our own time. We live in a world that often oscillates between presumption and despair, either denying the reality of sin or believing it is too great to be forgiven. Divine Mercy cuts through both those illusions. Divine Mercy reveals the truth, that sin and its consequences are real, but God’s mercy is greater still.
The image of Divine Mercy (Jesus with rays of red and pale light streaming from His heart) reminds us that His mercy flows from His Passion, the blood and water poured out for us on the Cross. Grace and mercy are not cheap. His Passion and Death are the price, freely given.
I encourage you to enter deeply into this feast. Come to Mass, of course, but also consider joining us at 2PM as we host the Sisters of Reparation who will lead us in an afternoon of reflection and prayer on the great gift and mystery of Divine Mercy. We will pray the Chaplet, there will be priests available for confession, and the Sisters are bringing some holy relics for our veneration.
May our encounter with the Divine Mercy make each of us more merciful in return, drawing every soul to the fountain of life in Christ Jesus, Our Risen Lord. Jesus, I trust in You!
Praised be Jesu Christ, Alleluia!
Now and forever, Alleluia!Peace in Christ,
Fr. Michael Silloway
Pastor