As I make my way back to the parish from a time of physical healing, I am very aware of the mercy of God. This Sunday, the second Sunday of Easter, is also Divine Mercy. Saint Faustina received from God a vision of Christ with rays of mercy emanating from His body, mercy that extends far beyond what we who are sinners could imagine. Christ Himself desires the world to know of His generous mercy in spite of our sinfulness and unworthiness, and He made that clear to Faustina:

“All grace flows from mercy, and the last hour abounds with mercy for us. Let no one doubt concerning the goodness of God; even if a person’s sins were as dark as night, God’s mercy is stronger than our misery. One thing alone is necessary; that the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God’s merciful grace, and then God will do the rest.” (No. 1507)

Five weeks ago, my Lent took a turn that was full of challenge, grace, and mercy. A slip on ice brought me down to the cold hard ground from which I could not get up on my own. Gently lifted up and cared for by strangers, my caregivers soon became friends. They showed mercy that was married to their skill as EMT, nurse, physician, care technician, chaplain, surgeon, and physical therapist. Parts of my body were re-located, replaced, and repaired; and I marveled at the mercy that God showed me in the gift of healing in spite of extensive damage. I came to understand how much medicine is a mission of mercy where its ministers answer a call to restore people to wholeness – of body, mind, and spirit. I learned to give thanks for moments of mercy: helpers coming to my rescue because I could do little for myself for several days, conversations that distracted me from feeling pain, and even the gift of Chicken Souvlaki from one of my favorite restaurants!

One of the most lifegiving moments of mercy was receiving your prayers which I experience through the graces and mercy I receive every day. My rapid progress is no doubt due to your prayers and many expressions of encouragement. As I mentioned, mercy received leads to thanksgiving, so I thank you from the depths of my heart and soul for your many kindnesses: cards, emails, texts, flowers, treats, and your love. I am particularly grateful to my brother priests who have done an amazing job of taking care of you in my absence, a responsibility that was especially challenging because their care extended into Holy Week. Fathers Franklin, Flavian, Bob, and Tim, and other helpers like Father Paul Sankar and Msgr. Scheyd kept everything fully alive here at Saint Aloysius and I am profoundly grateful. I am grateful too to the staff and priests of the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Residence for partnering with me on the journey to healing. I am planning to return to the parish at the end of next week, and I am looking forward to seeing you and offering you the gift of mercy that you so generously offered to me.

Friends, remember always how widely God’s mercy is extended to us, no matter where we are in the spectrum of darkness and light. May this Easter season be for you a time of receiving mercy in the many ways God gives it freely to us.

Yours in the Risen Christ,
Monsignor Rob