by Fr. Tommy Lane
In
the year 2000 Our Holy Father Pope John Paul instituted a new feast, the Feast
of Divine Mercy which may be celebrated today, the Second Sunday of Easter. It arises out of a series of apparitions
which a Polish nun, Sr. Faustina, received. Sr. Faustina was born in Poland in 1905. When she was twenty years old she entered the Sisters of Our Lady of
Mercy where she lived for the next thirteen years until her death on October 5th
1938. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1993 and canonized in 2000. When
canonizing her Our Holy Father said,
“Today my joy is truly great in presenting the life and witness of Sr. Faustina to the whole Church as a gift of God for our time. By Divine Providence, the life of this humble daughter of Poland was completely linked with the history of the twentieth century, the century we have just left behind. In fact, it was between the First and Second World Wars that Christ entrusted his message of mercy to her. Those who remember, who were witnesses and participants in the events of those years and the horrible sufferings they caused for millions of people know well how necessary was this message of mercy.”
In April 1978 the Holy See in Rome permitted spread of this devotion. This does not mean that you are required to believe in the apparitions or practice this devotion but you are free to do so and free to spread the devotion since the Church has found nothing in it contrary to our faith. The one primarily responsible for the Holy See approving the authenticity of the apparitions was Karol Wojtyla, then Archbishop of Cracow, later that year elevated as Pope. In 1981 Pope John Paul said his destined role was to bring the era of Divine Mercy into the world.
“Right from the beginning of my ministry in St Peter’s See in Rome I consider this message my special task. Providence has assigned it to me in the present situation of man, the Church and the world.”
In February 1931 Sister Faustina saw
Jesus dressed in a white garment. He
held one hand raised in blessing and the other hand touching his garment at the
breast as in this picture.
From
that point in his garment two rays of light emanated, one red and the other
pale. Jesus said, “Paint a picture
according to the vision you see and with the signature, ‘Jesus I trust in You.’ I desire that this picture be venerated
first in your chapel and then throughout the whole world.” Later Jesus explained, “The rays
represent the Blood and Water which gushed forth from the depths of my Mercy
when My agonizing heart was pierced on the cross. The pale rays symbolize the water which cleanses and purifies the soul;
the red rays represent the blood, which gives new life to the soul.” (see Second Reading Year B; 1 John 5:6) Jesus said the greater the sinner the
greater the mercy. “Summon all
those to confidence in the incomprehensible depth of my mercy for I desire to
save all. The well of mercy was
opened wide with a lance on the cross for all souls. I do not exclude anyone.” Jesus said, “Tell ailing mankind to
draw close to my merciful heart and I will fill them with peace. Mankind will not find consolation until
it turns with confidence to my mercy and love.” This reminds me of our Gospel today. The disciples were gathered in the Upper Room and were afraid. But Jesus came to them with his message
of peace, “Peace be with you.” They were no longer afraid. It is like that for us too. We
will not find peace until we find it in Jesus. Jesus’ message for each of us today is to find our peace in him.
Jesus asked Sr. Faustina that the Sunday after Easter (today) be celebrated as a Feast of Mercy and be preceded by a novena beginning on Good Friday. Jesus promised that those who go to confession and communion on that day will obtain a complete remission of all sin and all punishment. It is like a second baptism, all sin and punishment is wiped out. Confession during the week beforehand is also acceptable. Our attitude should be one of total trust in Jesus’ Divine Mercy. Jesus said, “Let no soul fear to come to me, even if its sins be as scarlet. This feast emerged from the bosom of my mercy and is founded in the depths of my mercies.” (What Jesus said about confession)
Jesus asked that we pray a novena in preparation for the feast. The nine days of prayer begin on Good Friday and end today. The background is this. Sr Faustina saw an angel about to execute God’s punishment on a city. She prayed for mercy but her prayers were without effect. Then suddenly she heard this prayer, “Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.” This prayer and some others with it can be prayed on Rosary beads. We call it the Chaplet of Mercy. Jesus said, “Say unceasingly this chaplet. Anyone who says it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as a last hope. If the most hardened sinner recites this chaplet even once, they will receive grace from my infinite mercy. I want the whole world to know my infinite mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in my mercy.” Jesus also said, “I desire the confidence of my people. Let not even the weak and very sinful fear to approach me, even if their sins be as numerous as all the sand of the earth all will be forgiven in the fathomless pit of my mercy.” For anyone interested in knowing more about this feast and Chaplet and Sr Faustina, there are booklets available in religious bookstores.
This feast of Divine Mercy reminds us of many parables taught by Jesus emphasizing God’s mercy. We remember the three beautiful parables of Luke 15. God is like a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to go in search of the one lost one. God is like a woman who searches the entire house to find the coin she lost. God is like a father who comes out of the house to welcome back his prodigal son and who comes out of the house a second time to entice the elder son to come in and join in the party. Today God has thrown a party during which we can receive God’s infinite mercy. Let us to the party and receive God’s mercy.
This homily was delivered when I was engaged in parish ministry in Ireland before joining the faculty of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland.
More Material for Divine Mercy Sunday
Related Homilies: Why confess sins to a priest?