8 April 2018

Divine Mercy Sunday

1st: Acts 4:32-35
Ps: 117:2-4,15-18,22-24
2nd: 1 John 5:1-6
The Gospel of John (20:19:31)

In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’ After saying this he breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’

Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.

Blessed are they that have not seen…

But when the Apostle says that Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, it is plain that things which are seen, are objects not of faith, but of knowledge. Why then is it said to Thomas who saw and touched, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed.” Because he saw one thing, believed another; saw the man, confessed the God. But what follows is very gladdening; Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. In which sentence we are specially included, who have not seen Him with the eye, but retain Him in the mind, provided we only develop our faith in good works. For he only really believes, who practices what he believes.
Catena Aurea (St. Gregory the Great)

This week’s feasts
Mon 9 The Annunciation of the Lord Solemnity 
Wed 11 Saint Stanislaus, Bishop, Martyr 
Fri 13 Saint Martin I, Pope, Martyr  

Psalter week II

Readings for 3rd Sunday of Easter
1st: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
Ps: 4:2, 4, 7, 9
2nd: 1 John 2:1-5
Gospel: John 24:35-48

Mary and the Annunciation

The Annunciation is the beginning of Jesus’ human life through the obedience and courage of the Virgin Mother by the action of the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:26-38). The angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary and  taking the aspect of a man, said to her: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.” Mary was troubled as she knew not the meaning of the salutation, hence the angel said: “Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive and bear a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High …”

Mary, now understanding this to be about the coming Redeemer, and not because she doubted but rather because she was astonished, wondered how could she be the mother of the Messiah, having vowed her virginity to God? So she said: “How shall this be done, because I know not man?

To remove Mary’s anxiety, the Angel answered: “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee.” Mary may have not fully understood how maternity could be reconciled with her vow of virginity, but clinging to the angel’s words and trusting in the Omnipotence of God, said: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.” Many holy fathers (Sts. Jerome, Cyril, Ephrem, Augustine) say that Mary’s consent was essential to our redemption. It was the will of God, St. Thomas says (Summa III:30), that the redemption of mankind should depend upon the consent of the Virgin Mary, in other words, the consent of Mary was foreseen from all eternity, and therefore essential to God’s plan.
Cf. The Annunciation, Catholic Encyclopedia

FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION: 8 April, Mass will be at 12pm.

Caritas Raffle: Win a Spring Hamper, €1 Tickets at Shop. Draw 1 May.

Donate a used handbag and fill it with personal care items. Bring donations to the Coffee Shop or Contact Wendy 9904 0294

Mass Times HERE