God's Mercy is Limitless and Always Available “His Mercy Endures Forever”

04-12-2026Weekly ReflectionFr. Emmanuel Ogla, VC

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. It is celebrated on the Second Sunday of Easter, highlighting God’s infinite mercy revealed through the Risen Christ.

The devotion comes from St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who received visions of Jesus in the 1930s. Jesus asked that a Feast of Divine Mercy be established on the Sunday after Easter. The feast was officially instituted by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000, the same day he canonized St. Faustina.

At the heart of Divine Mercy is trust and mercy: trust in God’s mercy and be merciful to others through actions, words, and prayers. God’s mercy is greater than any sin, and no one is beyond His forgiveness.

In the Divine Mercy image, Jesus is depicted with rays of red and pale light flowing from His heart: red signifies Blood (Eucharist/life), and pale signifies Water (Baptism/mercy), with the inscription, “Jesus, I trust in You.” The blood and water flowing from the side of Christ form the background for the Divine Mercy image.

Part of the devotion is the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It is a special prayer using Rosary beads which focuses on offering Jesus’ sacrifice to the Father for mercy on the world. The Hour of Mercy (3:00 PM) commemorates the hour of Jesus’ death—a time for prayer, especially for sinners.

In the diary of St. Faustina, entry 699 speaks about the special graces of this day. Jesus promised extraordinary grace: whoever receives Confession and Holy Communion in a state of grace on this day receives complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives the apostles the power to forgive sins, and through this we see God’s mercy in action. Thomas’ doubt and later faith also reveal that God meets us even in our doubts and weaknesses.

The first reading from Acts 2:42–47 reflects four necessary habits of the Christian life. The early Christians devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles, communal life, the breaking of the bread, and prayers. These correspond to the four basic elements of the Holy Mass: the apostles’ teaching (Liturgy of the Word), communal life (sign of peace and service in ministries), the breaking of the bread (the Eucharist), and prayers (the collect and other prayers offered by the priest on behalf of the people of God). We are called to reflect on the unity, love, and care they showed for one another and their concern for each other’s well-being.

Pope Saint Paul VI said, “The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation.”

The Responsorial Psalm today, from Psalm 118, is a thanksgiving for God’s enduring mercy: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever.” God’s Divine Mercy is the heartbeat of this Sunday, and God never tires of forgiving us.

Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, in one of her well-known quotes from Jesus, says: “The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy.”

In the second reading from 1 Peter 1:3–9, Peter thanks God for the gift of a living hope seen through the Resurrection of Christ in the lives of new converts. He prepares their minds for persecution and helps them find meaning in whatever sufferings they endure for the sake of Christ. He also praises their faith in loving Jesus without seeing Him. Unlike Thomas, who doubted, they believed. Are we willing to suffer persecution for the sake of Jesus? Can we endure such trials? Do we love Jesus more when everything goes well, and withdraw when we face suffering and pain? Peter invites us to love Him always.

Pope Benedict XVI said, “Faith tells us that God has given His Son for our sakes and gives us the victorious certainty that it is really true: God is love!”

In the Gospel of John 20:19–31, Jesus appears to the disciples, breathes the Holy Spirit, and institutes the Sacraments of Confirmation and Reconciliation when He says, “Peace be with you. Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.” The Apostles are sent to continue Christ’s work, especially the forgiveness of sins. Jesus also blesses those who have not seen and yet believe. He meets us even behind closed doors—our moments of fear, doubt, and sin. Mercy is given through the Church, and faith grows even through doubt.

Fr. Emmanuel Ogla, VC