Opening Prayer Series: 2nd Sunday of Easter Year A

The Opening Prayer for the Second Sunday of Easter reads as follows:

Let us pray

(for a deeper awareness of our Christian Baptism)

God of mercy,

You wash away our sins in water,

You give us a new birth in the Spirit,

and redeem us in the blood of Christ.

As we celebrate Christ's resurrection,

increase our awareness of these blessings 

and renew Your gift of life within us.

In making this prayer tangible for this coming week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1. Why is it necessary to have a deeper awareness of my Christian Baptism?
2.  What difference does today's feast of Mercy Sunday make in my life?
3. What is my relationship with the sacrament of Reconciliation-am I a regular frequenter of this sacrament or a Christmas and Easter penitent?
4. How does God's new birth in the Spirit make a difference to me?
5. What does Christ's resurrection mean to me and how might it change my life this coming week?
6. What blessings and graces do I wish to receive during Eastertide?
7. How might I continue/change my Lenten effort during Eastertide to Pentecost?

On this second Sunday of Easter- Mercy Sunday, the gospel gives a clear description of the institution of the  sacrament of Reconciliation- Jesus giving His disciples to forgive sins in His name. Obviously every priest who hears confession gives the sign and the words of absolution, but it is Christ Himself hidden in the priest who hears our sins and gives us absolution.

We are also confronted with doubting Thomas- a persona we can all take on at some point in our spiritual lives. However, like St Thomas we need to be able to say from our hearts ' My Lord and My God'.

On this Mercy Sunday, let us take the opportunity given us by the Church to receive a plenary indulgence by receiving communion at Mass, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation ( ideally on the day, but can be within a week before or after the feast) and say the prayers for the Holy Father.  

Mercy Sunday is a beautiful feast to contemplate- it is not magic as some may think, but a chance for those who have been away from the church to find their way back, for those who have let the sacrament of Reconciliation slip from their spiritual lives to be renewed, and for all Catholics to receive the wonderful graces God is offering. 

Remember to RSVP to Christ's invitation to Mercy Sunday in your parish or area.