Divine Mercy Sunday 2025 C

Who lives?

And to his Name?

And to his Church?

And to Maria?

Why?

Jesus lives and to his Church is given victory over sin, sickness and death.

I witnessed from my couch early this morning the funeral of Pope Francis. The Book of revelation appeared before my eyes: People of every race, language, and way of life gathered in and beyond the arms of Bernini’s St. Peter’s Square. Yes, even the American president and the president of Ukraine were present.

Grace and Mercy divine were on display! For a moment in time, victory to the people of God! Glory to the Name of Jesus!

We the baptized upon whom the Spirit of God breathes, we are sent into the world of 2025 USA, Atlantic County.

You are sent as agents of God’s Divine Mercy. Agents building rainbow bridges to cross grand canyons of distrust, racism, loneliness and internet distractions.

The life of Pope Francis gives witness to what that looks like, smells like, sounds like, feels like, what that lives like!

For sure to live it takes the twin sisters, Grace and Mercy.

St. Faustina Kowalska, who gave us the vision of God’s Mercy, reminds us of the words of Jesus:

“My daughter, write that the greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy; [urge] all souls to trust in the unfathomable abyss of My mercy, because I want to save them all. -Diary 1182

“[Let] the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask. I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy.” —Diary 1146

But, “He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice ...” —Diary 1146

I live in God’s mercy. I celebrate God’s mercy! I believe in God’s mercy.

The Gospel of John is written, we are told, “so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that through this belief you may have life in his name.”

Life in the Name of Jesus is the outpouring of Grace and Mercy.

The Greek word for life is zoe. This word, as used in today’s Gospel refers to eternal life, understood as a “quality of life that begins now and continues into eternity through a relationship with God.”

Begins now and continues into eternity through a relationship established now with God.

Through baptism we begin our relationship with God that we carry through the days of 2025 into eternity. All of the sacraments celebrate this relationship.

But do we live a life of grace and mercy? Or do we live a life selfish and vengeful? Do we respect the name ‘Jesus’, or do we use it as a curse?

Like the disciples, like Pope Francis, we are sent as Jesus was sent. We are agents of Divine Mercy so who are we to judge one another?

Once we were dead, but now we live in the victory of the Church. Once we were shamed, but now we share life in the Glory of the name Jesus. Once we were disgraced, but now we have life in the honor of Mary. So I ask you,

Do you reject Satan, the father of lies?

And all his empty promises?

And all his works?

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father?

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?

This is our faith. We are proud to profess it in Jesus the Christ!

Amen?