Embracing Divine Mercy: A Call to Open Hearts

Today, we find ourselves in a unique moment in the life of the Church, both mourning the passing of Pope Francis and continuing our prayers for the election of a new Pope. At the same time, we are still within the octave of Easter, a season overflowing with the promise of new life and hope. This Sunday, known as Divine Mercy Sunday, was established by St. John Paul II at the request of Jesus to St. Faustina, a humble Polish nun. Jesus wanted to remind the world—through her—that his mercy is boundless and ever-present, especially when we are most in need.

Throughout history, private revelations like those given to St. Faustina do not add anything new to the faith, but rather serve as reminders of truths we may have forgotten. In this case, Jesus wanted to reawaken our awareness of his infinite mercy. He lamented that, although the Church already celebrated his mercy, it was not being emphasized or shared in the way he desired. The Gospel reading for this Sunday recounts Jesus appearing to his disciples after the resurrection, not with words of condemnation, but with peace and forgiveness, instituting the sacrament of confession as a channel of his mercy.

Reflecting on the image Jesus gave St. Faustina—that all the sins of the world are but a drop in the ocean of his mercy—I shared a personal story of being out at sea, surrounded by endless water, and realizing how truly unfathomable God’s mercy is. No matter how deep or dark our sins may seem, they are nothing compared to the vastness of his love and forgiveness. Often, we hold back parts of our hearts, believing they are too broken or shameful for God to heal. Yet, Jesus enters even the locked rooms of our hearts, just as he entered the upper room where the apostles hid in fear, and speaks his peace.

This Divine Mercy Sunday, Jesus invites us to take even the smallest step toward him, and he promises to meet us with extraordinary graces. The sacrament of confession is not a place of judgment, but a place where we encounter the transforming power of God’s mercy. No sin is too great for him to forgive—except the one we refuse to bring to him. Open your heart today, receive his mercy, and let him speak peace into every corner of your life.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Divine Mercy is not a new teaching, but a vital reminder that God’s mercy is always available and deeper than we can comprehend. Private revelations like those to St. Faustina serve to reawaken us to truths we may have neglected, especially the boundless mercy of Christ that is at the heart of the Gospel. [01:45]
• 2. The image of all the world’s sins being just a drop in the ocean of God’s mercy challenges us to rethink our own sense of guilt and shame. No matter how overwhelming our failures may feel, they are utterly insignificant compared to the infinite depth of God’s forgiveness. [07:30]
• 3. Jesus seeks out the places in our hearts that we try to hide, the rooms we keep locked out of fear or shame. He enters not with condemnation, but with the words, “Peace be with you,” offering healing and reconciliation even in our darkest moments. [10:10]
• 4. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one we refuse to bring to God. His mercy is always waiting, but it requires our willingness to open our hearts, even just a little, so that he can rush in and transform us. [12:00]
• 5. The sacrament of confession is a privileged encounter with Divine Mercy, not a place of judgment but a channel for God’s peace and healing. When we approach with humility, we experience the same peace the apostles received when Jesus appeared to them after the resurrection. [15:00]
  ** [15:00]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:30] - Remembering Pope Francis and Praying for a New Pope
• [01:15] - The Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday
• [02:10] - St. Faustina’s Mission and Jesus’ Request
• [03:45] - The Role of Private Revelation
• [05:00] - The Gospel Reading: Jesus Institutes Confession
• [06:20] - The Forgotten Emphasis on Mercy
• [07:30] - The Ocean of God’s Mercy: A Personal Story
• [09:10] - Why We Struggle to Accept Mercy
• [10:10] - Jesus Enters Our Locked Rooms
• [12:00] - No Sin Too Great for God’s Forgiveness
• [13:30] - The Invitation to Confession
• [15:00] - Experiencing Peace Through Mercy
• [16:10] - Extraordinary Graces of Divine Mercy Sunday
• [17:00] - Closing Invitation: Open Your Heart

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Divine Mercy Sunday**

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### Bible Reading

**John 20:19-23 (NIV)**
> On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

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### Observation Questions

1. What were the disciples doing when Jesus appeared to them after the resurrection? What was their emotional state?
2. According to the sermon, what did Jesus say to the disciples when he entered the locked room? [10:10]
3. What sacrament did Jesus institute in this passage, and how is it described in the sermon? [05:00]
4. In the story the pastor shared, what did the ocean represent, and how did it help him understand God’s mercy? [07:30]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why might Jesus have chosen to greet the disciples with “Peace be with you” instead of words of condemnation, especially considering their recent actions? [10:10]
2. The sermon says that all the sins of the world are but a drop in the ocean of God’s mercy. What does this suggest about the nature of God’s forgiveness compared to our sense of guilt or shame? [07:30]
3. According to the sermon, why do people sometimes hold back parts of their hearts from God’s mercy? What are some reasons given? [09:10]
4. The pastor said the only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one we refuse to bring to God. What does this mean for how we approach confession and repentance? [12:00]

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### Application Questions

1. The disciples were hiding in fear and shame when Jesus appeared to them. Are there areas in your life where you feel like you are “hiding behind locked doors”? What would it look like for Jesus to enter those places and speak peace? [10:10]
2. The sermon described God’s mercy as an ocean, and our sins as just a drop. Is there a specific sin or failure in your life that feels overwhelming? How does this image challenge your perspective? [07:30]
3. The pastor shared that sometimes we believe parts of our hearts are too broken or shameful for God to heal. Is there a part of your life you have been reluctant to bring to God? What is one small step you could take to open that area to his mercy? [09:10]
4. The sacrament of confession was described as a place of encounter with God’s mercy, not judgment. If you have avoided confession (or honest prayer about your sins), what has held you back? What might help you take a step toward it? [15:00]
5. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one we refuse to bring to God. Is there something you have been holding back from God? What would it look like to bring it to him this week? [12:00]
6. The sermon mentioned that Jesus comes to us with extraordinary graces when we take even a small step toward him. What is one practical way you can take a step toward God’s mercy this week—whether through prayer, confession, or reaching out for help? [16:10]
7. After confession or receiving God’s mercy, the disciples experienced peace. Have you ever experienced this kind of peace? If so, what was it like? If not, what do you hope for? [15:00]

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**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Invite the group to spend a few moments in silent prayer, asking Jesus to enter the “locked rooms” of their hearts and speak his peace. Encourage anyone who feels led to share a prayer for God’s mercy and healing.