April 19, 2020: Sunday of Divine Mercy

On that day all the divine gates open through which graces flow. Do not let the soul be afraid to come close to Me, even if its sins are just as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, neither man nor angel, will be able to understand it for all eternity. Everything that exists has come from the depths of My most tender mercy. Each soul in its relationship with Me will contemplate my love and mercy for eternity. The feast of mercy emerged from my depths of tenderness. I want it to be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Humanity will not have peace until it transforms itself into the Source of My Mercy. (Diary of Divine Mercy # 699)

This message, pronounced by Jesus in Santa Faustina in 1931, has become reality. What has been said in the solitude of a cloistered convent in Poland Poland, is now celebrated by the universal Church worldwide!

St. Maria Faustina Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament was known to very few people during her life. But through her, God has delivered the message of His abundant mercy to the whole Church and the world. What is this message? Although its content is infinite and unfathomable, here are five key ways Jesus desires this new devotion to be lived:

The first way is through meditation on the sacred image of Divine Mercy. Jesus asked Saint Faustina to have an image of her merciful love painted for all to see. It is an image of Jesus with two rays shining from His Heart. The first ray is blue, which indicates the character of Mercy that emerges through Baptism; and the second ray is red, indicating the character of Mercy poured out through the Blood of the Holy Eucharist.

The second way is through the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. Jesus told Saint Faustina that he wanted an annual solemn Feast of Mercy. This solemnity of Divine Mercy was instituted as a universal celebration on the eighth day of the octave of Easter. On that day the doors of Mercy are opened and many souls are made holy.

The third way is through the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. The chaplet is a precious gift. It is a gift that we should try to pray every day.

The fourth way is to honor the hour of Jesus' death every day. “It was at 3 o'clock that Jesus took his last breath and died on the Cross. It was Friday. For this reason, Friday should always be seen as a special day to honor his passion and maximum sacrifice. But since it took place at 3, it's also important to honor that hour every day. This is the ideal time to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. If the Chaplet is not possible, it is at least important to take a break and thank the Lord every day at that time.

The fifth way is through the Apostolic Movement of Divine Mercy. This movement is an invitation from our Lord to actively engage in the work of spreading his Divine Mercy. This is done by spreading the message and living Mercy towards others.

On this, on the eighth day of the octave of Easter, Sunday of Divine Mercy, meditate on the desires above the heart of Jesus. Do you believe that the message of Divine Mercy is destined not only for you but also for the whole world? Are you trying to understand and incorporate this message and this devotion into your life? Are you trying to become an instrument of mercy for others? Become a disciple of Divine Mercy and try to spread this Mercy in the ways that have been given to you by God.

My merciful Lord, I trust in you and in your abundant mercy! Help me today to deepen my devotion to your merciful heart and to open my soul to the treasures that flow from this source of heavenly wealth. May I trust you, love you and become an instrument of you and your mercy for the whole world. Jesus I believe in you!