Gospel Reflection for 2nd Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy
When Jesus appeared to the disciples that first day of the week, he found them fearful, brokenhearted, and ashamed that they had abandoned him. His first words to them were “Peace be with you.” [John 20:21] There was no rebuke, no chastisement. Then he showed them his wounds so they would know that it was indeed he who had died on the Cross and is alive body and spirit, now and forever. This happened for the forgiveness of their sins and ours. Then he anointed and commissioned them with the breath of his Holy Spirit saying, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He commanded them to forgive sins in his name. He was not just restoring them to where they were, he was transforming them to be instruments of Divine Mercy. And he sent them as his emissaries for the whole world.
In human terms, we could define mercy as the undeserved gift of forgiveness and rescue from that which makes us suffer. Yet Divine Mercy is that and so much more. God goes far beyond the forgiveness of our sins. He does not just restore us temporarily and leave us the same as before. Divine Mercy changes and transforms us to be more like himself. We are always in need of God’s Mercy and Love, but we are more aware of the need in times of suffering and tribulation. As we ask for mercy for ourselves, we must also ask for others. So, it is good for us to meditate on the gift for which we ask. We need the grace to be predisposed and ready to receive God’s Mercy so that we will become faithful instruments of this Mercy for others.
How do we prepare for such a Gift? How do we respond to it? In his teaching, Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis reminded us of Jesus’ own words in the Gospel. “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” [Luke 6:36] In other words, forgive others even when it is difficult to do so. Do acts of kindness despite fear of loss. Share the Gospel with others so they too will have access to Divine Mercy. Our words must be gentle and confident, never harsh, or judgmental. Our deeds must be generous and joyfully done. This is the way of mercy that Jesus teaches us by his own example.
Remember St. Faustina received the unique privilege of revealing the image of Divine Mercy as a message to invite every soul to trust in Jesus. The image reminds us of how God transforms us through the Sacraments. Through Baptism, we have forgiveness and new Life in the Holy Spirit. Through the Eucharist, the Lord heals us, feeds us, and incorporates us into his own glorified Body. In the Sacraments of the Church, Jesus continually breathes his Holy Spirit on us just as he did for the Apostles. He continues to send us out to be instruments of Mercy for others.
Even now there are many opportunities to be instruments of Mercy for others. Here in the parish, we can respond by supporting the collective effort to help the poor through Catholic Charities and our own Social Concerns Committee. As we contribute to the financial support of the Parish, we enable the message of the Gospel to be preached to others, especially the young. Supporting our Parish facilitates the ministry of Word and Sacrament now and for future generations. By praying for others and encouraging them to trust in Jesus, we carry on the mission of Divine Mercy. Even in times of tribulation and suffering, we can be apostles of Jesus Christ who is the face of the Father’s Mercy.
If you cannot join us for the Sunday liturgies, please know that we will be praying for you. We encourage everyone to participate in the Masses offered online and on TV https://adw.org/live-streamed-masses-and-prayers/. Remember to pray for Spiritual Communion.
SUNDAY MASS ADDITION. An indoor Mass at 12 Noon will be added to the Sunday schedule beginning April 11.
*Outdoor option for 9:30 am Mass on Sundays – Fr. Robert will celebrate this Mass on the steps of the Church if weather permits. If it does not, he will move inside. You may come inside (Covid restrictions continue). Alternatively, you may remain outside in your car with engine off. Speakers will broadcast Mass (weather permitting). You are welcome to bring your blankets and chairs and sit on the grass. Eucharistic Ministers will distribute Communion outdoors. Ushers will take up a collection. To make a contactless, one-time donation to Holy Cross, visit the parish website (www.hcrosschurch.org) and click on “One-Time Donation.” The link will take you to a Faith Direct option where you can use your credit card and you do not have to enroll.
QR Code that links for Holy Cross YouTube page:
http://bit.ly/HC_GP_YouTube
Poor Box – This week’s Poor Box will benefit the HOLY CROSS RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE to support their work on behalf of unborn children and their mothers. Please support this important parish ministry.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Ileana Bachman - April 12 (M), 8:30 am
Sam and Mae Silbergeld - April 13 (T), 8:30 am
Kevin Koomsa - April 14 (W), 8:30 am
Diane Toregas - April 15 (Th), 8:30 am
Alice Zischkau - April 16 (F), 8:30 pm
Mike Gaudiano - April 17 (Sat), 8:30 am
Joan Schoshinski - April 17 (Sat), 5:00 pm
Dr. Peter Francis Kratz, III - April 18 (Sun), 9:30 am
Teodoro Ramos - April 18 (Sun), 12 Noon
To schedule a Mass intention, email parishsecretary@hcrosschurch.org or call the office at 301-942-1020.
The 2021
Annual Appeal
is still underway.
Please help
Holy Cross
reach our goal.
Please keep the sick and elderly of our parish in your prayers, especially…
Melinda Alde, Evelyn Articola, Marion Ballmann, Teresa Basso, Jerry Behnke, Albena Borisnova-Petkova, Molly Chantry, Michael Chettle, Joyce Choi, Tom Choi, Young Choi, Luis Alejandro Guevara Coello, Dorothy Conroy, Ray Dean, Barbara Desiderati, David Dikel, John Paul Durkin, Karen Dwyer, Joe Gagnon, Kathleen Gagnon, Demos Georganas, Myriam Gonzalez, Michael Gouzoulis, Susan Grisby, Eileen Haggart, Betty Harrison, Rudy Heglas, Carlos Hernandez, Evan Hilburn, Stephanie, Hipsley, Charlene Hubbard, Bo Hunt, Dan Johnson, Doris Johnson, Jamie Kaufmann, Mary Lee Leonard, Mary Dell Levandosky, Ray Mitchell, Palmer Jane McNeill, Markie Mlynarczyk, Richard Moellering, Jr., Nelson de Melo Dias Neto, Ellen Noland, Estelle Nguyen, William Nothwang, Sue Numrich, Silvia Pugliese, Dan Reinwall, Jessica Ringler, David Roberts, Alma Rusley, Nancy Rupertus, Rebecca Shepherd, Patricia Spodnik, David Skola, Patricia Tellish, and Philip Wright.
Please contact the Parish Secretary to add or remove someone’s name from our list.
Remember in Prayer those who have died, especially Louise DeRita.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
Ways for you to continue your support of Holy Cross.
Donate by credit card via Faith Direct -
Visit our website: www.hcrosschurch.org. Click on One-Time Donation.
You may make a donation without enrolling in Faith Direct or,
if you are enrolled in Faith Direct, you can choose to not log in.
Enroll in e-giving at www.faithdirect.net or call 866-507-8757 (toll-free)
to use your bank account or credit card for recurring donations.
Use your bank's bill pay.
Drop off your contribution in the mail slot in the Rectory office door
Mail your offering to Holy Cross Church, PO Box 249, Garrett Park, MD 20896
Thank you!