A WORD FOR TODAY Second Sunday of Easter(Divine Mercy Sunday) 11/4/21

A WORD FOR TODAY Second Sunday of Easter(Divine Mercy Sunday) 11/4/21


 

*A WORD FOR TODAY

*BE AN APOSTLE OF GOD'S MERCY AND GOODNESS IN THE WORLD

_"Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”(John 20:21-23)_

_*Today the universal Church celebrates the Divine Mercy Sunday, it is the day we remember in a special way what the Lord has done for us by sending His Son to come and die for us on the cross of Calvary in order to redeem us. The Devotion to the Divine mercy started with the revelation given to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska of Poland by our Lord Jesus Christ that those who make a request of Him at the three O' clock hour of mercy immersing themselves in his passion, shall receive God's mercy and pardon for all their sins and for the sins of the world.*_

_God's mercy endures forever, because He is good and He has shown us mercy in abundance because He loves us. Therefore, we must always draw closer to Him to find mercy no matter how grave our sins are and how far we have fallen into sin, betrayed His love and wounded His sacred heart._

_*The first reading of today tells us how the apostles lived together in one heart and mind and made sure that that no one among them lacked anything. They took care of each other and provided for one another's need. With this attitude, they gave their testimony about the resurrection with great power. By virtue of our baptism, we are called to be apostles of goodness in this world, we must make available what we have for the good of others and for the growth of the Church, because we have received it generously from the Lord who has given us without Charge.*_

_The second reading from the first letter of St. John reminds us that we must strive to keep God's commandment if we truly love Him. Therefore, if we love God as we claim, we must be good and those around us and all who encounter us must testify of our goodness and give glory to God._

_*The gospel reading presents us with the encounter Jesus had with His apostles after his resurrection. In mercy and love He came again to show Himself to them especially to St. Thomas who was not there the first time He came. He gave them peace to quieten their fear and to strengthen their courage. He poured out the Holy Spirit upon them and mandated them to become apostles of mercy and goodness in the world. "If you forgive any sins, they are forgiven, if you retain the sin of any, they are retained."*_

_Thomas believed when he saw and put his finger at Jesus' hands and side, but the Lord said to him, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. We must believe whatever God has revealed to us in Christ, because He can never deceive us. God has shown us true love and mercy in His Son and we must in turn go into the world and become channels of goodness and mercy to others so that through us God will bring salvation to those who are yet to come to believe in Him._

_*We must constantly remind ourselves of what the Father has done for us by sending His Son to come and pour out his body and blood for our sake. He showed us unconditional and sacrificial love and we must learn from Him to show the same love and mercy to others we meet everyday. Be merciful like Jesus, forgive like Jesus, be kind and compassionate like Jesus, show love and care like Jesus, be just and holy like Jesus and you will win souls for Him and draw more souls into the kingdom of God.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a wonderful day. May Jesus be merciful to you and may His mercy move you to bd merciful to others. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Acts 4:32-35/Psalm 128:2-4,15-18,22-24/1 John 5:1-7/John 20:19-31

*Watch-Word:* Give praise to the Lord for He is good; his mercy endures forever.

*God has shown us true love and mercy in His Son and we must learn from Him and do the same to others as His beloved children.*

(Second Sunday of Easter. Divine Mercy Sunday. Cycle B)