Divine Mercy Sunday (AKA 2nd Sunday of Easter)

Our readings for Divine Mercy Sunday day are:

1. Acts 2: 42-47
2. Psalms 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24
3. 1 Peter 1: 3-9
4. John 20: 19-31

• Community living
• In the book Kisses From Katie a young missionary to Uganda is confronted by unimaginable poverty and suffering.  One of the principles that illuminates her service is the simple statement "God doesn't make extra babies" which I take to mean that all children are God's children, regardless of how they come into this world.
• How would you define justice?
• Can justice be measured?
• Is it possible for there to be justice as long as any of us have any more than anyone else?
• How can we help to bring about justice in our immediate vicinity?
• Is that enough? 

• Finding victory
• Victory can mean a lot of different things.
• What are some things that God has given you victory over?
• How did you pray for that victory?  What were you looking for in that victory?
• Is a victory in our lives necessarily always permanent?
• Why is that? 

• Finding true joy
• Joy is a funny emotion.  We might tell others that landing that dream job gives you joy, or, if you're lucky, your children give you joy.  Or maybe your spouse gives you joy.
• Is all joy the same?
• What are some things that give you joy that never change, that are solid, despite anything else going on in your life?
• Is joy incompatible with sorrow in your life?
• What do you do to fill your life with more joy? 

• Faith sharing
• There is no second-hand faith.  I cannot give you my faith as a gift, as much as I might wish that I could.  We can share with each other of our faith, we can share experiences of God that we have had because we had faith.  But faith has to come from within.
• Have you ever become discouraged when you're trying to share your faith with others?
• If that person or persons had received faith, what would you want to see them do with that faith?
• What changes would you want to see in their lives?
• Why is faith so hard?
• Is it worse today than before?
• Why? 

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where might God be calling me to work for justice in some small way?
• Am I settling for a stale-mate when God has a victory for me?
• What brings me joy?
• Can I trust God enough to share my faith with others?

 

Shalom!