Divine Mercy....THANK GOD!

The Second Sunday of Easter, a.k.a. "Divine Mercy Sunday"


A couple of years ago, I remember that liturgists here in the United States got very nervous about the growing devotional practices surrounding the new "Divine Mercy Sunday." They were trying to line up the traditional liturgical practices of the Church with the growing devotional practices associated with this "Divine Mercy" Sunday. Some of the professional liturgists, myself among them, were worried that the devotional practicses associated with the "Divine Mercy Chaplet" would conflict with the liturgical celebrations of the Triduum, Easter, and Easter Week.


In our parish, there have been no requests for the celebration of the "DMC" as I like to call it.


However, I am wondering: "What is the need that needs to be met by these folks so devoted to the Divine Mercy Chaplet?" I wonder, "Are these folks in parishes that are not celebrating the Triduum well?" I wonder, "Are these folks looking for an intense experience of prayer through this devotion, because they're not getting it through the liturgies?" It could be. Once again, I wonder!


I don't have any empirical data. But I have a gut feeling that people are looking to have a deep, meaningful, prayer-experience in these Easter Days.

Of course, the whole point of the paschal mystery of Jesus' life-giving passion, death, and resurrection is that JESUS IS DIVINE MERCY. That by his suffering, death and resurrection, we are the receipients of the benefits of his DIVINE MERCY for EVER!


Thank God that our Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, is the CHRIST. Thank God that he has conquered death forever by his resurrection. Thank God that his resurrection is also ours, and always will be, by our baptism into him.

Thank God, that God's Mercy is available to all!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!