April 24: Second Sunday in Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Posted by Campus Ministry on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 9:47 AM PDT

An orchid sits on a window sill, framed by billowing white curtains

I offer this prayer for us, based on the scriptures and today’s commemoration of Divine Mercy Sunday. This is my last Sunday with you. God bless you all – I will miss you tremendously, you will be in my prayers.  

“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting!” 
God of Goodness, You transform our world with your love,  
bringing life from death, hope and comfort to those who despair, 
healing to those in need of restoration, 
mercy and reconciliation to places of division and pain, 
We ask you in this Easter Season to be near to us;  
Come to the places where we are afraid and locked away, 
and greet us anew with your peace and love which cannot be contained. 

Jesus, We trust in You. 
Living One, we yearn to be close to you, and you meet us in our deepest desires. 
Allow us to encounter your wounded Body; 
in one another as we gather together to worship, in our world that cries out for you,  
in those we least expect: the despised, grieving, poor, hungry, imprisoned, refugee, 
and so many more wounded and locked away ones, who long to be met with love. 
Let us never turn away, help us instead to touch the wounded & crucified places,  
that we may truly know the power of your resurrection breaking into our world, 
and so proclaim like Thomas before us “My Lord and my God!” 

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. 
Resurrected One, Divine Mercy, breathe your Spirit upon us,  
that we may be empowered and encouraged to be instruments  
of your healing mercy and love in our world. 
Grant that we may be Your Risen Body,  
showing forth the good news of your cross and resurrection  
to all the world through our presence, proclamation, and action. 
May all who encounter us, your Church, 
come to believe in you and so enter more deeply into your reign of 
love, trust, relationship, hope, transformation, and abundant life. 
We pray this in the name of Christ who is alive forever and ever. Amen. 
 
- JoAnn Melina Lopez, Campus Minister for Liturgy