A Message From Our Pastor
Second Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday
I have this little phrase taped on to my computer screen that I pray every day: “I ask for the gift of confidence, that God is at work in my life and in my future”. I like the prayer because it keeps me staying in the present, while entrusting myself to God’s providence in the future. The responsorial psalm for this Sunday’s liturgy is “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting” (Psalm 118) and it reminds me to be grateful at all times because the Lord is with me at all times.
Every year, on the Second Sunday of Easter, we have the well-known reading from the Gospel of St. John in which the Risen Jesus appears to his disciples on that first Easter night offering “Peace be with you”. Then a week later, He appears to them (this time with Thomas present) and not only does He offer “Peace be with you” but the Risen Lord offers the opportunity for Thomas to express his doubts and then have them taken away. Thomas is given the gift of confidence that God is at work in his life and will be there in his future!
Never hesitate to call out to the Lord with doubts; rather feel confident to say “Lord, I do believe. Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:23-25). For those of us with occasional doubts, we have a patron saint in Thomas who was told something about us on that night years ago. Jesus told him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
We are blessed because we have not seen yet we believe. Thanks be to God for the gift of faith in His Son, Jesus Christ the Risen Lord. Be confident that God is at work in your life and in your future.
Msgr. John Urell
