On April 17, 2015 Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago died after a brief battle with cancer. In my humble opinion he was one of the greatest bishops to ever serve in the United States: a brilliant thinker, a humble pastor, and a dedicated servant.
As a young priest, he completed a doctoral degree on American Philosophy which gave him the mindset to always see the good and the bad in America. One of his insights was that in our current cultural climate, “everything is permitted and nothing is forgiven.” Years later, this is still the case in our culture.
“Everything is permitted.” Objective moral standards seem to have completely dissipated. Male athletes can claim to be female to compete in women’s sports, abortion and euthanasia are basically available on demand. Creating rumors and gossip about famous celebrities and athletes is commonplace. Everything is permissible.
And yet, “nothing is forgiven.” Cancel culture is real. If someone says something that is controversial, they can be blacklisted for years. This even exists in our own lives. How quick can we be to never trust someone that has hurt us, even if they’ve apologized. All of us have had the experience of being unforgiven.
The answer to all of this is Divine Mercy. Today, the Sunday after Easter, the Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday. Divine Mercy Sunday highlights the reality that we are all sinners. At the beginning of every Mass, we are invited to acknowledge our sins. Yet the Lord is “rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us” (Ephesians 2:4). Everything is forgivable through the victory of Jesus Christ and the love of our Merciful Father.
In regards to this feast day, Jesus told St. Faustina Kowalska:
“My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My mercy.”
This Feast Day is a great opportunity to go to confession, especially if it has been a number of years. On Sunday afternoon, we’ll have three priests available from 2:30pm to 4:00pm (or later if the line is longer). Also at 3:00pm we’ll have our Divine Mercy Service. This is a great opportunity to thank God for His infinite mercy and to pray that the whole world may experience His mercy.
This year the service will be at St. Joseph Church. Due to the anticipated crowds in Wapakoneta for the eclipse, we decided to move it this year from Immaculate Conception. Maybe some of our visitors will experience the depths of God’s mercy.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Sean Wilson
