April 18, 2021
We have celebrated Easter Sunday, then, the Octave of Easter – the eight days following Easter continuing the celebration of the Day of Resurrection. At the end of the Octave of Easter we celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday. From Good Friday until Divine Mercy Sunday we prayed each day the Divine Mercy novena prayers. Many parishes pray the novena prayers and the Divine Mercy chaplet. For us as Divine Mercy Parish it is significant that we pray, with great devotion, these prayers. But also, there is a deep call to put into practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
As we continue the Easter season of fifty days until Pentecost try to live out these works of mercy. None of our works in the world are accomplished on their own. We need the power of prayer, the Presence of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The beauty of springtime along with the busyness of life might distract us from Easter joy and living out the works of mercy in our lives. Over the next few weeks focus on the Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, counsel those with doubts, teach those who are seekers, pray for the living and the dead.
Maybe these seem like big lofty ideals that you might not be able to do. Scale your attempt to what you might be able to do – offer some groceries to a local food pantry, go through all your winter clothes before putting them away for the summer months, donate to a clothing drive. Pray every day for sick relatives and friends.
With the rejoicing of Easter Sunday, let us fully live the days of the Easter season.
