Whilst preparing for Sunday's sermon, I was struck by the set readings for this Sunday. I saw the beauty and the bounty of God's love for us in Christ's sacrifice. I saw the joy and power of fellowship with God and with each other, the power of personal witness and the power of the Blood. Why on earth do we call it Low Sunday? It seems that the Roman Church, under John Paul II has renamed it Divine Mercy Sunday. This came about through the life of one Faustina Kowalska who is the originator of "The Chaplet of Divine Mercy", an alternative to the Rosary. Faustina was dedicated to proclaiming the Divine Mercy obtained by Jesus and ministered by His Blood. Here is the prayer that often opens the chaplet: St. Faustina’s Prayer for SinnersO Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless agesPlease pray for all who preach on Sunday that we may be used to proclaim the wonders of His Love and that those who listen will receive that same vision and certainty of the mercy of God towards poor sinners like us.
<div>Celebrant and Preacher is the Rev. Jane Dicker, Rector of the West Bromwich Benefice of All Saints with St. Mary Magdalene and St Philip's Church</div><div>Two Lay Funerals Minister will be licensed to administer Holy Communion by extension.</div><div></div>
