DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: Jesus, I Trust in you

READINGS AT MASS

Acts 2:42-47

Psalm 118

1 Pt. 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

Theme: JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...

During the canonisation of Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska in April 2000, Pope John Paul II (now Pope Saint John Paul II) declared the Second Sunday of Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. Today therefore is Divine Mercy Sunday. A day for Catholic Christians to reflect on the great mercy of God revealed in the face and the wounds of the Risen Lord.

In contemplating the ever enduring Mercy of God (Responsorial Psalm), we come to know the true face of a God who can be trusted.

The first and most important element of the revelations given to Sr. Faustina during the apparitions concerning the Divine Mercy was the portrait. But even more important is the signature message: Jesus, I Trust In You on the portrait. This signature message is very important because it sums up the whole mystery of the Divine Mercy. It is a simple but powerful prayer of consolation and trust.

Trust (faith) is the only vessel through which we can receive the graces of God's Mercy. It sets the doors of our hearts ajar for the rays of God's merciful grace to penetrate our souls and allows God to do the rest. We indeed must learn how to allow God to do the rest. Until humanity learns to turn trustfully to the Mercy of God, it cannot find peace. Those who sincerely say "Jesus, I trust in you" will find comfort in all their anxieties and fears (St. Pope John Paul II).

In the First Reading, we see the qualities of a community that puts all of its trust in the Risen Lord. When we trust in God, we become more devoted and devout. We abandon everything to Him and allow His Holy Spirit to animate and direct all we do.

The Gospel draws our attention to the Master, who, in His post resurrection appearance, transmits new hope, and joy to an astounded and fearful disciple. In addition is the call to trust in Him. He said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." To believe even though you have not seen is trust. Thus, to say "Jesus, I trust in you" is to say that even though the doors and the windows of my situation seemed to be closed by uncertainties, fear, and anxiety, I believe that my Saviour is alive and that closed doors and windows cannot stop Him.

PRAYER

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls and an ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O fount of life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelope the whole world and empty yourself out upon us. O Blood and water, which quashed forth from the heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in you (Source: Divine Mercy Prayers).

May God bless you.

- Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.