April 19, 2020: Second Sunday of Easter (Gospel & Homily)
Presider: Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki TEXT FROM THE HOMILY In my life, I know that the clear sense of mercy was experienced when I first realized that I did wrong and there was a right to be punished. One time…
Presider: Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki
TEXT FROM THE HOMILY
In my life, I know that the clear sense of mercy was experienced when I first realized that I did wrong and there was a right to be punished. One time as a boy I took my father’s ring, given to him by my grandfather. It had a diamond placed on an ebony backing with a golden « ‘L » for Listecki. It was neat! And I wanted to show it and show it off to my classmates. I had no right to take it, but I knew that I’d put it back, it was reckless and wrong. But junior high students are not noted for their prudence. When I returned home later that afternoon I discovered that I had lost the ring. It was not only the value of the ring which was very significant but the memories attached to the ring which embodied the spirit of my grandfather. Telling my father was one of the most difficult things at that moment that I ever had to do. He had every right to impose a severe punishment and I fully expected it but my father could see how upset I was and instead of punishing me my father said, « Son, I forgive you but you must realize that the ring was to be yours as a connection to your grandfather and myself.” Today is divine mercy Sunday, an opportunity to contemplate the great love of God which was extended through his mercy bestowed upon us by his son’s suffering, death and resurrection. Imagine what a sensation it must have been for the disciples in the locked room when Jesus appeared. Did they want to scream? Hide? To kneel or beg for forgiveness? Remember these were the so called trusted disciples who abandoned him when he was crucified. Only john and the women remained with Jesus at the foot of the cross. They should have expected punishment, chastisement but instead they were met with Jesus offering them “peace be with you.” Saint Thomas, who will forever be known as doubting Thomas, was skeptical about the resurrection. He didn’t want his fellow disciples to be caught in a mass hysteria about this risen Lord. But when confronted by the wounds of Christ he utters the now famous words that we whisper and are whispered by believers when the body and blood of Jesus are raised in elevation; my Lord and my God. Jesus realized that peace can only come through an acknowledgment of our responsibility before God. In order to extend his mercy to the world he gave us the sacrament of reconciliation, he commissioned the apostles as he breathed on them giving them the holy spirit and the power to forgive sins. Divine mercy Sunday is the great legacy of Saint John Paul. He knew that the world was in need of mercy, mercy that could only be achieved through the love of God and the forgiveness of sins. So I encourage all of you to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation, today, or in the near future, for the good of your soul, for the good of your families, for the good of the world. Saint John Paul stated « in the mercy of God the world will find peace and mankind will find happiness. » Peace be with you.
Entrance: Sing to the Mountains
Text: Psalm 118; Bob Dufford, SJ, b. 1943
Tune: Bob Dufford, SJ, b. 1943; acc. by Randall DeBruyn
© 1975, Robert J. Dufford, SJ. and OCP
Psalm 118: Give Thanks to the Lord
Text: Verses The Revised Grail Psalms © 2010 Conception Abbey and the Grail, admin. by GIA Publications, Inc. refrain Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997 ICEL
Music: Michel Guimont © 1994, GIA Publications, Inc
Preparation: We Walk By Faith
Text: Henry Alford, 1810-1871, alt.
Tune: SHANTI, CM; Marty Haugen, b. 1950, © 1984 GIA Publications, Inc.
Communion: O Sons and Daughters
Text: O filii et filiae; Jean Tisserand, d. 1494; tr. by John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.
Tune: O FILII ET FILIAE, 888 with alleluias; Mode II; acc. by Richard Proulx, 1937-2010, ©1975, GIA Publications, Inc.
Sending Forth: Sing With All the Saints In Glory
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:20; William J. Irons, 1812-1883, alt.; tr. by Alberto Merubia, b. 1919 © 2010 GIA Publications, Inc.
Tune: HYMN TO JOY 8 7 9 8 D; arr. from Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827, by Edward Hodges, 1796-1867
Mass Setting: Mass of Creation
Text: ICEL © 2010
Music: Mass of Creation Marty Haugen, © 1984, 1985, 2010 GIA Publications, Inc
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this liturgy obtained from ONE LICENSE, License No. A-718591.
