April 25

Saint Mark the Evangelist authored the Gospel According to Mark. He was one of the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ. He and his mother, Mary, were integral in the early church movement; Mary opening up her home as a Christian meeting place. Also, Saint Mark’s journey with Saint Peter and Saint Barnabas is recorded in Acts as they traveled through Cyprus and Rome carrying the Word. Church writings accredit Saint Mark as founding the Church in Alexandria and consequently, serving as bishop there.

Saint Mark’s emblem in Christian literature and art is the lion. He is the Patron Saint of Venice. [1][2]

Written by Sarah Ciotti
[1] *Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Mark.”
[2]. Herbert J. Thurston, S.J., Donald Attwater, “St Anselm,” in Butler’s Lives of the Saints (Indiana: Ave Maria Press, Inc.,1956),160.

“27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.’ 28 Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and God!’ 29 Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’” (Jn 21:27-29). [1]

The Church seems to have placed a special emphasis on Divine Mercy for the 21st century. With the newly instituted Feast of Mercy, the canonization of the ‘Apostle of Mercy,’ Sister Mary Faustina Kowalska and encyclicals such as, “God is Mercy” and “God Is Love;” our leaders are calling upon the faithful to reflect on this holy concept. [2][3][4]

Image of Divine Mercy

In 2002, the Apostolic Penitentiary, one of the three tribunals in the Roman Curia, issued a decree on Divine Mercy. In it, the faithful are reminded that meditating on Divine Mercy can help us avoid sin. When we reflect on God’s Mercy, we often become sorrowful of our own actions. Our sin becomes a ‘matter of conscience’ and we set an intention to change the behavior.[5]

Some practical ways to integrate this guidance include celebrating the Second Sunday of Easter, as explained in the decree, praying the chaplet to the Divine Mercy, and acting on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. In doing so, we manifest our Lord’s Mercy to our brothers and sisters, who like Thomas, may need to see favor to believe it.[6][7]

Written by Sarah Ciotti
[1] Revised Standard Version, s.v. “John, The Gospel According To.”
[2] Vatican News Services, s.v. “Faustina,” April 30, 2000.
[3] John Paul II, “Dives In Misericordia,” November 30, 1980.
[4] Benedict XVI, “Deus Caritas Est,” December 25, 2005.
[5] Apostolic Penitentiary, Decree on Indulgences attached to devotions in honour of Divine Mercy, June 29, 2002
[6] Vatican New Services, s.v. “Faustina,” April 30, 2009.
[7] *Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “corporal and spiritual works of mercy.”

Fifth Sunday of Lent: Jn 12:20-33: Freely giving as Jesus gives, completely, out of love for God and others, leads us to bear much fruit. It is this to which we are called.

Fourth Sunday of Lent: Eph 2:4-10: Learning to trust that living as a steward is not foolishness, but the real way of Christ, is a sign of living discipleship. This leads us to know ourselves as the handiwork of the Creator, created to share the wisdom of self-giving with others.

Third Sunday of Lent: 1 Cor 1:22-25: Acting as a disciple is at times out of sync with our surrounding culture, and may seem “foolishness” to others. When we trust in God’s ways, we find true wisdom and strength.

March 4 – Second Sunday of Lent: Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18: Abram could not understand what he perceived God to be asking, and his faithfulness results in blessing beyond measure. We must listen for the voice of God and respond, even when doing so may take us beyond what is comfortable.