|
From: Mary Zimmerman
Winona
I’m so excited to share with my readers the joy of Easter. Lent is over. Jesus has risen, triumphed over the cross and the grave. We remember the cross. Jesus dying this horrible death for you and me. But today there’s great jubilation. Jesus has conquered death. Within lies our great hope as well. The Apostles really didn’t fully understand what was going on. Destroy this temple and in three days it will be restored. That was not a language they understood at the time. The Apostle Thomas especially. They had surely witnessed miracles in their time, but couldn’t quite grasp this one.
Sometimes I think we don’t fully understand death either. Sure it’s sad. Jesus wept for his friend Lazarus. Or was it because of the sadness his sisters felt upon losing their brother? Yes, losing a loved one is hard, I think most especially if its your child. I don’t like the word dead. It’s okay for animals, birds, fish, etc., but for people life goes on. After conception God also gifts you with a soul destined to live forever. We have the hope and promise of the resurrection. The grave cannot hold us captive forever. Our souls and bodies will once again be reunited - alleluia, alleluia, praise the Lord. Happy Easter.
Now let’s focus on the good news of Mercy Sunday - it’s the continuous joy of the resurrection. God’s mercy which sets us free. Jesus has so blessed us with the Divine Mercy devotion. I started to educate myself about it over twenty years ago. As time went on, God graced me with more knowledge about it. Now I promote and share it with everyone so inclined to listen. I believe this devotion is truly meant for our times. There’s a video available called “Time For Mercy.” It’s like we are being called back. Mankind has gone astray and sometimes we don’t know where or who to turn to. God speaks, “The most hardened sinner has the most right to my mercy.” As a young teenager I didn’t have much direction in my life (depression was already following me around). Once I realized I’d gone off track for awhile, I knew enough to turn to God’s mercy. But I had a hard time receiving His forgiveness I so longed for until I was able to integrate trust into my life. “Jesus I trust in you” became my motto during times of worry and depression. It has truly helped me to become a more positive person. As I celebrate another birthday April 11, I’ll give thanks for the many good years I’ve had. Jesus says, “Sooner would heaven and earth turn into nothingness than would my mercy not embrace a trusting soul.”
As I read and understood more about this great devotion, Mercy Sunday jumped out at me. Jesus’ words, “On that day priests are to tell everyone about my great and unfathomable mercy.”
“I want to grant complete pardon to the souls that will go to confession (need not be that day) and receive Holy Communion on the feast of my mercy. On that day the divine floodgates through which graces pour are opened.”
Well, I had to do something about that, I thought. So I started my journey to get a Mercy Sunday celebration started. I knocked on the doors of many churches until I found one willing to open its doors. Thus the first Mercy Sunday at St. Mary’s with Father Keefe (now deceased) officiating. We went all out with little flower girls, had a few testimonies, I even thought I was brave enough to share the miracle story of my granddaughter weighing 1 lb. 5 oz. and how God answered our many prayers for her. She is now a lovely young 17-year-old.
Jesus is asking for volunteers to help spread the Divine Mercy devotion. Jesus promises special graces for those who do, so I have been promoting this devotion now for many years, including passing out the Divine Mercy image.
In Jesus’ words, “I promise that the soul that venerates this image will not perish. I am offering people a vessel to the fountain of mercy (confession). That vessel is this image with the signature, Jesus I Trust in You.” Jesus further asks that this picture be venerated throughout the world so that every soul may know about it.
I haven’t yet touched on some of its blessings from the Divine Mercy devotion. Feel free to call or write me for more information - 318 Orrin St., Winona, MN 55987, 1-507-452-2570.
Please come join us for our annual Mercy Sunday celebration at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart - 1:30 p.m. video, 2:10 p.m. spiritual music, 2:30 p.m. the celebration of God’s mercy.
|
