Many times in the past, I mentioned that we are one with the Universal Church in the Synod on Synodality. For the past two months, members of our listening team have been engaging several individuals and groups in dialogue and conversation regarding their spiritual journey and their experience of the Church. We are now entering into the second phase of our listening session – the parish level.
The Second Sunday of Easter is also known as the Divine Mercy Sunday. In the year 2000, Pope John Paul, II canonized Sr. Faustina and, during the ceremony, he declared, “it is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church will be called Divine Mercy Sunday.”
Easter gives us hope. The resurrection of Christ reminds us that death and darkness do not have the final word – after death comes resurrection, after darkness comes light. This is a very appropriate reminder as we continue to face life’s challenges. Sometimes, it is tempting to simply give up, to get stuck in darkness and wallow in pain, or to just be hopeless.
Palm Sunday begins Holy Week. Jesus makes his final entrance into Jerusalem, celebrates supper with his disciples, dies on the Cross, and rises again from the dead. As we progress from today, the solemnity of the week heightens leading up to the Paschal Triduum (sometimes called Easter Triduum).
It is difficult to admit one's faults, and sometimes even more difficult to ask for forgiveness. Pope Francis, however, reminds us not to be afraid, because the Lord is always ready and eager to bestow his healing love.