The following reflection on Divine Mercy Sunday originally appeared on Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Facebook page. Follow the Bishop for daily reflections and weekly videos as we journey through this Easter season together!
On Divine Mercy Sunday, we pray that the mercy of the Lord will help convert and heal our sinful hearts and for strength to attend to the needs of those around us with true, selfless love.
Saint John Chrysostom offers a beautiful reflection regarding how you and I can show true mercy to our neighbor. He says, “Do you wish to honor Christ’s body? Well, then, do not tolerate his being unclothed; after having adorned him here in the church with silk fabrics, do not allow him to die of cold outside because of his nakedness. He who said, “This is my body”, confirming by his words the action that he carried out, also said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food”, and “what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.” The Body of Christ on the altar needs no garments, but pure souls; but the one outside has need of great care. Let us therefore learn to think and act appropriately in accordance with such profound mysteries and to honor Christ as he wishes to be honored” (Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, 50).
Let us pray for such pure souls in you and me, that we will recognize Christ’s presence in all our neighbors. Only at that point will we be ready to serve as true instruments of God’s mercy in the world.
