"I do believe, help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

Holy Thursday: At the Lord's Supper approximately 2,000 years ago, Jesus instituted His Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist for Holy Communion with Him: Jesus said the blessing, broke the bread saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me," giving His Apostles the power to offer His Sacrifice as validly ordained Priests. Jesus gave thanks, gave them the cup saying, "This is my blood...which will be shed for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Approaching death, Jesus spoke literally with emphasis, clarity and repetition saying, "...unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink."

Disbelieving the Word of God, many disciples left and no longer accompanied Jesus who had said, "You are misled because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God." (Matthew 22:29).

"Do you also want to leave?"

Simon Peter, believing, said, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:22-71).

During Holy Communion, believe by the power of Jesus and through consecration by a validly ordained priest, our Lord is present — Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, hidden beneath a veil of bread and wine beyond our understanding, helping us grow in virtue by cooperating with His grace.

Good Friday: By His Passion and Death Christ atoned for our sins meriting graces for us, inviting our cooperation. Traditionally the eyes of the soldier who pierced Christ's heart with his lance were healed by the Water and Blood that gushed upon him thereby baptizing him into new life forgiving his sins.

Easter Sunday: May we by Christ's "Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection" through the grace of His sacraments:

Jesus instituted His Sacrament of Penance (Confession) sending His Apostles on their solemn mission: "...he breathed on them and said,...'Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them...'"

Divine Mercy Sunday: Eight days later, Thomas' disbelief in the Resurrection changed by touching Jesus' pierced side where mercy poured out, heading off skepticism, healing our wounds of unbelief as he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:19-29).

May we love the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced for the love of us, overflowing with endless Divine Mercy, the Fount of Life making souls righteous through Water and Spirit (Baptism) and (Confession) and giving life to souls through His Blood (Eucharist) who is Emmanuel (God with us) as He said, "...behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20).

May we always follow Jesus by spreading love and mercy.

To Saint Faustina Jesus said, "The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion [on Divine Mercy Sunday] shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment..." (Diary, 699).

 

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