Father Michael's Thoughts This Week

WEEKLY THOUGHTS 

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY 

APRIL 12, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

 Welcome to the celebration of the Divine Mercy Sunday and Second Sunday of Easter. Special welcome to all received in full communion of the Catholic faith at Easter vigil. You are now part of the living stones of the Mystical Body of Christ – the Church to which Jesus is the Head. We are all called to holiness and to share into the Prophetic ministry of Jesus- Share the good news of salvation.

 In the 8 days of the Easter Octave, we read and reflected of the appearances of Jesus to his disciples after the Resurrection. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene who she called by name and was able to recognize Jesus. Jesus appeared to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus; downcast and disappointed with the death of Jesus- who they expected to redeem Isarel from the Roman Imperial power. They recognized him at the breaking of bread.

 In the Gospel of John 20: 19-31 Jesus appears to the 11 who were under locked doors. The resurrected Jesus was free of physical limitations. He just appeared to be there. His resurrected body showed marks of crucifixion. Jesus greeted the frightened, yet at the same time joyful, disciples: “Peace be with you.” He gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. He gave them the power to forgive sins and sent them on a mission to proclaim God’s love and mercy to all humanity.

 Thomas, one of the disciples, had been absent when Jesus appeared to the 10 disciples. He refused to believe the testimony of the 10 disciples who had seen the risen Jesus. Thomas called for a physical proof of seeing Jesus and touching the marks of his wounds. When Jesus eventually appeared to the 11, Thomas was able to see him and exclaimed “My Lord and my God”. Jesus replied, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen but believed.”

 On this Divine Mercy Sunday, we see Jesus extending his mercy to Thomas -our witness of the Resurrection. We have come to believe the Risen Jesus because of the testimony of the apostles and their successors particularly the Church Fathers.

 Jesus commissions his disciples to preach the good news of salvation as they forgive sins- God’s ultimate act of mercy and love. Let us be sharers into God’s mercy as we seek to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation -indeed a Sacrament in which we experience God’s merciful love as St John Paul II labored to teach us in his Encyclical “Dives in Misericordia.”

 Thank you all who have prayed for the Divine Mercy Novena Chaplet. Let us all endeavor thirst for God’s merciful love always available whenever we choose to go for it. Let us learn from the inspiration and teaching of St. Faustina

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 A special thanks for your contributions and participation in the Easter Liturgy.  

 Have a great week!the dead and instructed his disciples to meet him in Galilee.

   Jesus upon several occasions appeared to his disciples, like the three men on the road to Emaus and Peter, James and John at the lake, are all proof of Jesus’ Resurrection that brought them great joy.

   Let our faith and joy of Jesus’ Resurrection grow as we meditate on his presence in the Eucharist, scripture and Church – of which He is the head.

May we continue to feel his presence in prayer.

   Please, endeavor to pray privately the Divine Mercy Chaplet as we look forward to celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday.

   Happy Easter.