Divine Mercy Sunday

The second Sunday of Easter is called 'Divine Mercy Sunday' in the Roman Catholic Church. It is a very special day. Here's The Divine Mercy website for further info.

Interestingly, back in 2008, a leading Russian Orthodox Bishop, Hilarion Alfeyev, was invited to deliver a speech to the Catholic Church's first World Congress on Divine Mercy. In his speech, Bishop Alfeyev discussed St. Isaac of Syria's writings on the mercy of God. It's interesting because Isaac, a 7th century saint, was a Christian universalist who believed that Hell was limited in its duration and expressly for the purpose of cleansing, reforming, and restoring the sinner to God's good graces. As a Christian universalist, St. Isaac believed that through Christ's unfathomable mercy, all mankind would eventually be saved. While this is not the official view of the Roman Catholic Church, the Bishop's speech was still relatively well-received.

Ironically, if one closely evaluates many of the prayers associated with Divine Mercy, there is certainly a spirit of 'hopeful universalism' permeating them as Christ's redemptive sacrifice is repeatedly asked to mercifully extend to all of mankind.

July 4 Update

First off, Happy Memorial Day! May our Savior have mercy on the souls of all of our nation's fallen soldiers, and even on all 'enemy' soldiers as well.

The last couple of weeks, I've made some surgical strikes at JoAnn's and Michael's: garland, ornaments, spinners, fake flowers, bells, etc. I've been speaking with our local Goodwill organization and trying to organize the upcoming Independence Day celebration. I should have the details nailed down pretty soon.

In the meantime, here's a rough draft of Mr. Holidays' 1st Annual July 4 Yard Display:

In the front yard, I plan on decorating an artificial Independence Day Tree. Around the tree, I'll see if I can set up a big circle of sparklers, which will be lit at the appropriate time. Along the walkway leading up to the front porch, I will set up 6 tall shepherd's crooks with red, white, and blue lanterns hanging from them. In between, I will set up 4 short shepherd's crooks, each with a red, white, and blue set of bells hanging from them. Red, white, and blue spinners will be scattered nearby on the ground.

For those Goodwill residents who are able to attend, I will probably give each of them a party popper and candy-filled July 4 party cracker. For those who cannot, I'll deliver their goodies to the home a little earlier and let the staff members hand them out while the other residents are riding out to the display.

And of course, local family and friends will be invited to view the display and participate in the festivities if they so choose.

July 4 is only 38 days away.