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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY – APRIL 19
(SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER)
This guide is offered for your prayer and reflection.
Click on the bold colored song titles to hear recordings from St. Richard's Catholic Church by our cantors and Music Director Betsy Sullivan - including a piece played on our new organ! Depending on your browser settings, you may need to make an adjustment to allow pop-ups from this site or to select your media player.
The Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, concludes the octave of Easter.
Divine Mercy! This is the Easter gift that the Church receives from the risen Christ and offers to humanity. God’s mercy throughout salvation history - in Scripture, through the writings of saints and, in a particular way, through the revelations recorded in the Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska. (Read more about St. Faustina)
SIGN OF THE CROSS
SONG: I Know That My Redeemer Lives, Verses 1&4
I know that my Redeemer lives!
What joy this blest assurance gives!
He lives, he lives who once was dead;
He lives, my everlasting Head!
He lives, all glory to his name;
He lives, my Savior, still the same;
What joy this blest assurance gives;
I know that my Redeemer lives!
OPENING PRAYER
God of everlasting mercy, who in the very recurrence of the paschal feast
kindle the faith of the people you have made your own, increase, we pray,
the grace you have bestowed, that all may grasp and rightly understand
in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn,
by whose Blood they have been redeemed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen
SCRIPTURE
The transforming power of the Resurrection is apparent in today’s readings. In the Gospel, Jesus’ greeting of “Peace be with you,' came to rest in the hearts of the frightened disciples. His blessing communicates mercy and forgiveness. May we be transformed, too, so that we may recognize the gifts of love and mercy passed down from generation to generation.
FIRST READING: Acts 2: 42-47
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
PSALM 118: This is the Day
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. (x2)
1. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures for ever; let the house of Israel say: "His mercy endures for ever."
2. The LORD's right hand has struck with power, the LORD's right hand is exalted; I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the LORD.
3. The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done, it is wonderful in our eyes!
SECOND READING : 1 Peter 1: 3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Easter Alleluia
GOSPEL READING: John 20: 19-31
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
MEDITATION: We Walk By Faith
Verses 1, 5
We walk by faith, and not by sight;
No gracious words we hear
From him who spoke as none e’er spoke;
But we believe him near.
Verse 2
We may not touch his hands and side,
Nor follow where he trod;
But in his promise we rejoice,
And cry, “My Lord and God!”
Verse 3
Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;
And may our faith abound
To call on you when you are near,
And seek where you are found.
Verse 4
That, when our life of faith is done,
In realms of clearer light
We may behold you as you are,
With full and endless sight.
UNIVERSAL PRAYER- For the holy church of God: may it be a beacon of Jesus’ merciful love and a place of welcome for all. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For all nations of the world: may leaders join together with care and compassion for the world community and all who suffer. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For those suffering the financial and physical stress and strain of the effects of COVID-19. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For health and protection for all who care for those who are sick and suffering, and for those providing for the needs of others. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For those most in need of God’s mercy. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For those in our community and families who are in need of healing and strength, especially [your intention]. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For strength and perseverance for those who work tirelessly for, and find a resolution to, the COVID-19 virus. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For all who profess faith in God: may we be strengthened to forgive those who have harmed us and to ask forgiveness of those we have harmed. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For those who have died, especially [your intention]: may they know the fullness of eternal life. Let us pray to the Lord…
LORD'S PRAYER
PRAYER FOR PEACE
Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart.
Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path
You have laid out for me. I trust your love God, and know that you will heal this
stress. Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night, may hope rise
against anxiety and worry. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
May God bless our days and our deeds with peace, in the name of the Father,
+ and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
SONG: Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Verses 1&2
Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ our heav’nly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia
COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-704119. All rights reserved.
I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES. Text: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799. Tune: DUKE STREET, LMl; John Hatton, c. 1710-1793. PSALM 118: THIS IS THE DAY. Psalm 118: 1-2,16-17,22-23; refrain trans. © 1969, ICEL; verses © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, alt. 1981, Music: Michael Joncas, © 1981, 1982, Jan Michael Joncas Trust. Published by OCP. EASTER ALLELLIA. Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Tune: O FILLI ET FILIAE, 10 10 10 with alleluia; adapt. By Marty Haugen, b. 1950 © 1986, GIA Publications, Inc. WE WALK BY FAITH. Text: Henry Alford, 1810-1981, alt. Tune: SHANTI, CM; Marty Haugen, b. 1950, © 1984, GIA Publications, Inc.
