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Since most of our Saturday morning study group will be traveling to see Fr. Corapi on this Saturday, we will not be meeting. Here is the study for review.

Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, April 14th, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

Invite someone to come with you!

Click here for a PDF of this week's study.   Click here for the study in a Word document. 

Divine Mercy, Jesus’ Easter Gift to Us

Sunday, April 15, 2007
Divine Mercy Sunday
Acts 5:12-16
Psalm 118:2-4,13-15,22-24
Revelation 1:9-13,17-19
John 20:19-31

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

Consider an elderly gentleman facing risky surgery, terrified of what might happen if he doesn’t survive the procedure. He has practiced his faith and prayed faithfully his whole life, and yet he still couldn’t believe that Jesus would welcome him home. Wouldn’t you want to encourage this man with the good news of God’s mercy? What about those who have distanced themselves from God and indulged in sin and rebellion? Could there be mercy for them? Should they dare to trust after living such a self-destructive life? Absolutely!

Today we celebrate Jesus’ loving kindness. On this day, one week after Easter, we are reminded why Jesus rose from the dead: to shower the world with divine mercy. Now, unless we reject his mercy outright, it can never be denied us.

As Peter walked through the streets of Jerusalem, many people brought their sick friends and relatives to him “in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them. . . . And they were all cured” (Acts 5:15,16). It was such a simple act—taking a friend to the side of the road—but it resulted in amazing miracles. Jesus didn’t wait for them to drum up a heroic amount of faith. All he wanted was for them to take one small step toward him, and he came running to them.

This is the message that God gave St. Faustina. “The graces of mercy,” Jesus once told her, “are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive.” Or to put it another way: Everyone who trusts—receives!

Why wait for an emergency? God has so much in store. Go to him today and open up the deepest part of who you are. Then you will drink of the vast river of Christ’s mercy. If we all kept Divine Mercy Sunday this way, the whole world would change!

“Lord Jesus, the force of your love is beyond words. For the sake of your sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

1.    In the first reading, we read of the many signs and wonders that were performed by the apostles. What impact did these have on the people? What was the fruit of them? Do you believe that signs and wonders have a role to play in the Church today? Why or why not? How has your life been impacted through divine miracles or healings in your life?

2.    In the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist sings the praises of the Lord with these words, “His mercy endures forever.” Share some times when you have experienced God’s mercy in your life. Share with the men about someone in your life that may need your mercy and forgiveness. Are you willing to give that person a gift he or she (or any of us) does not deserve – your forgiveness?

3.    In the second reading, we read of John’s exile to the island of Patmos, because he “proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony for Jesus” (Revelations 1:10). If you went on trial for proclaiming God’s word and giving testimony for Jesus, would the prosecutor find enough evidence to convict you? Why or why not?

4.    In the Gospel, why do you think Thomas refused to believe the report on Jesus’ resurrection from the other Apostles? What do you think Jesus meant when he said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29)? What is the basis of your faith in the Lord? Does it rely on visible signs?

5.    In the meditation, we hear these words of Jesus to St. Faustina, “The graces of mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive.” What do these words mean to you? How strong is your trust in the Lord? What steps can you take to strengthen it?

6.    Using the prayer at the end of the meditation as a starting point, pray for one another that your faith and trust in Jesus’ divine mercy toward you, and all those close to you, would increase.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen