Reflection: Divine Mercy , 'Doubting' Thomas and Disbelief
Sister Mary Faustina Kowalski, Sunday, April 30, 2000, the late Servant of God John Paul II proclaimed: "Before speaking these words, Jesus shows his hands and his side. He points, that is, to the wounds of the Passion, especially the wound in his heart, the source from which flows the great wave of mercy poured out on humanity. From that heart Sr Faustina Kowalska, the blessed whom from now on we will call a saint, will see two rays of light shining from that heart and illuminating the world: "The two rays", Jesus himself explained to her one day, "represent blood and water" Divine Mercy reaches human beings through the heart of Christ crucified and Risen.
"My daughter, say that I am love and mercy personified", Jesus asked of Sr Faustina. Christ pours out this mercy on humanity though the sending of the Spirit who, in the Trinity, is the Person-Love. And is not mercy love's "second name" understood in its deepest and most tender aspect, in its ability to take upon itself the burden of any need and, especially, in its immense capacity for forgiveness? Jesus told St. Faustina: "Humanity will not find peace until it turns trustfully to divine mercy"
St. Faustina Kowalska wrote in her Diary, "I feel tremendous pain when I see the sufferings of my neighbors. All my neighbors' sufferings reverberate in my own heart; I carry their anguish in my heart in such a way that it even physically destroys me. I would like all their sorrows to fall upon me, in order to relieve my neighbor." At every Eucharist let us echo the words of Thomas, "My Lord and My God". Let ask the Lord of Mercy for the grace to become true messengers of Mercy to this age so desperately in need of it.
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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
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thank you and God bless...i look forward reading reflections like this to enhance my Catholic belief.
Here is the link to the video of the 2009 Divine Mercy pilgrimage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVCv14XpEc
God bless and happy easter.
In Christ,
Ronan.
We all sometime fail to see the beauty of the Cruxifiction of Christ, he did see the glory and had faith to believe Jesus was God in person before his eyes
may we have the same faith,praise
and thank Him for giving Himself in love.
I am deeply moved in my heart, soul, body, and mind of this scripture recalling "doubting" Thomas and my sister advised me of this site and it was exactly what I needed to read today. I thank the Lord for her daily!
"I suggest that Thomas was not a doubter, rather he was a believer."
Coming from the Eastern tradition that is how St. Thomas is venerated, showing him probing deeply into the wounds of Christ. This is old school Church Incarnational theology at its best - the Incarnation is very real and should be probed deeply! Its not coincidence!
Consider that Jesus healed using touch therapy on the Sabbath when the Divine Nature was asleep. What a wonderful gift to our Medical community. Mark Chapter 8 for example, where the man who was blind could see and experienced textbook visual agnosia.
Or Jesus calming the winds and the waves (its called the FPU paradox in physics and is technically possible for a man - if he is the eternal Word (pattern) of God).
Or consider that the temple was decorated in its heart with Pomegranates and Grapes, sources of Revestrol....
Science needs religion, religion is the science of sciences, and probing deeply in many aspects of the Gospel brings great blessings if we only allow ourselves to probe deeply, believe and proclaim, "my Lord and my God" - or like St. Francis, "my God and my all..."
St. Thomas`s words provide proof of Our Lord`s resurrection for generations to come.
The inaugural Divine Mercy Pilgrimage in Australia (to become an annual event)- from Wagga Wagga in NSW to the Divine Mercy Shrine at Marian Hills (Tarcutta)took place this Easter.
About 60 pilgrims walked the 100k or so praying & singing the rosary,litanies etc.The Chaplet was recited each afternoon at 3:00 Holy Mass was celebrated each day & an all night vigil took place before Our Lord on Sat. night till Sunday morning.
The Pilgrimage concluded with Holy Mass being offered (both the Ordinary Rite & the Extraordinary Rite) on Divine Mercy Sunday.
From Our Lady`s Land of the Southern Cross.