SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER, APRIL 30, 2022

MASS READINGS

Responsorial Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. Exult, you just, in the LORD; praise from the upright is fitting. Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

REFLECTION

“Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.”

We just celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday this past Sunday. Divine Mercy does not end with the celebration, but continues on in our lives throughout the year.

The Mercy of God is Love, not deserved, but most needed. There was a priest who was giving a homily and he said that everyone has a story. He said that the Apostles all had a story also. Pick one of the Apostles, like Peter. Peter wanted to have courage and stand by Jesus in his need. He even said, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” (Matthew 26:35) What ended up happening? He denied Jesus three times.

The precondition to receiving God’s Mercy is failure. Without failure, there would be no need for mercy. (The priest goes on to say "that Mercy is the love that we deserve the least, and Mercy is the love that we need the most. This is God's most powerful love and the precondition to receiving it is failure. The only way we can encounter this love is by acknowledging our sin and the fact that we don't deserve it. Because Mercy is being loved when we deserve it the least.")

The Responsorial in today’s readings says, “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.” What does this statement mean?

I think it means something very different for you than what it means for me. This is because each of us has our own story. Each of us also has our own failures. How beautiful it would be if each of us reading this reflection could give a glimpse of our story in the comments. Where failure and misery meet the brilliant Mercy of Jesus Christ.

To me, this statement is a plea for God to look on us with Mercy and it gives us hope that we can put our Trust in Jesus completely. So many things happen in a day that can lead one to think that Jesus does not care about the problems of life or our failings. This is so far from the truth. God loves us more that we can imagine. When I start thinking like this, what helps me is the “Breathing Jesus Prayer.” I breath in and say "J-e-s-u-s", hold it for a few seconds, then breath out slowly saying, "J-e-s-u-s". I do this at least three times, and sometimes seven times or more. The powerful name of Jesus is amazing. Jesus I trust in you.

I learn so much by studying the Word of God in PAPA FACE ZBS. Why not take a look for yourself to see what you could learn from this wonderful Bible Study taught by a priest and Theologian, Father Michael Truongluan Nguyen, CSs.R.

Here is the link to Part 1 of our Divine Mercy Sunday Bible Study.

God bless!