Divine Mercy Sunday (Fr. Vinner)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Today is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, the 8th day of the Feast of Easter in which Blessed Pope John Paul II said that we receive the Easter Gift. And what is this very special Easter Gift? It is the special gift of the total forgiveness of all sins and punishment that the Catholic Church offers in the form of a plenary indulgence today. But, why today? What sets this day apart from any other day? Today is the Octave Day of Easter; the last day of the world’s greatest feast. And shouldn’t the world’s greatest feast offer the world’s greatest gift; the total forgiveness of all sins and punishment, or in other words, “a straight ticket to Heaven” if we should die today in this perfect state of sanctifying grace? And what is Divine Mercy?
The word “Divine” means “given by God” or “like God”. The word “Mercy” means “the refraining from harming or punishing offenders”. So simply put, Divine Mercy is “God refraining from harming or punishing offenders”. How did this feast come to be established in the Catholic Church? In the Jubilee Year 2000, Blessed Pope John Paul II established this new feast indicating that he had fulfilled the will of Christ. He must have said this because he believed that our Church needed to re-emphasize the tremendous gift of Divine Mercy that the Lord wants to pour out on each and every one of us.
In the Old Testament, God told Moses to celebrate their most important feast called the Day of Atonement, once a year, and to prepare for that feast, they were to afflict themselves and offer up animal blood sacrifices. On the last day, God would forgive their sins. It was for them, an annual preparation for the Judgment. The Jews of today still celebrate this feast, which they call “Yom Kippur”. This is the Jews’ biggest feast and it lasts for a full ten days. In fact, most of the important feasts in the Old Testament lasted for 7 or more days. Even weddings would last for a whole week or more. So why shouldn’t we celebrate Easter for at least a full 8 days? So this Feast of Divine Mercy (Divine Mercy Sunday) is like our modern day fulfillment of the “Day of Atonement”. An annual preparation for the Judgment, an annual feast to get perfectly right with God. Are we now starting to understand how important this feast is for us, today? Ok, let’s take it a little further.
What is the last instruction that Jesus gave His Church before He died and what is the first instruction He gave His Church after He came to life again? The very last instruction was the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the Eucharist, at the Last Supper. The very first instruction, after His Resurrection from the dead, was the institution of the Sacrament of Confession. These 2 sacraments comprise the Fount of Divine Mercy. The 2 sacraments needed to receive the total forgiveness of sins and punishment on this feast day. Today is the Feast of Divine Mercy – better known as Divine Mercy Sunday. On February 22, 1931 – a young polish nun – Sister Faustina – saw a vision of Jesus with “RAYS OF MERCY” streaming from the area of His heart. Christ told her to have an image painted to represent this vision and to sign it: “Jesus – I trust in You.
Sister Faustina records Jesus saying: (number 1602 in her Diary):
“When you go to confession – to this FOUNTAIN of My Mercy – the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession – immerse yourself entirely in My Mercy – with great trust – so that I may pour the bounty of my grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional – know this – that I myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest – but I myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of Mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy – souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great – there is no limit to My generosity.”
So in confession – our sins are totally forgiven.
But something remarkable happens today/ on Divine Mercy Sunday. Our sins are NOT ONLY forgiven – but – if the formula is completed as prescribed by Christ – all temporal punishment is removed.
Jesus spoke to Saint Faustina and stated: “On that day (today) or (Tomorrow) the very depths of my tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of my mercy.”
In closing – I want to relay the formula for receiving a complete removal of all temporal punishment as stated to Sister Faustina by Jesus Himself and approved by our Church:
- Go to confession
- Receive the Eucharist worthily
- Pray for the intentions of the pope
- Participate in the prayers and devotion held in honor of Divine Mercy.
This last one can be accomplished by attending the Divine Mercy celebration and Accept Christ’s mercy into your lives.
Accept His forgiveness
Believe in Him
Believe in your worth – how valuable you are.
Believe and know that God loves you!
May the Risen Christ Bless us all.
FR. S.Vinner HGN