Jesus, I Trust in You: Living Divine Mercy Every Day

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of John 20:19-31

Dear friends in Christ,

There once was a man named David. For over twenty years, he had built a solid career—an expert in his field, respected, reliable, always the first to arrive and the last to leave. But then, without warning, he was let go. At first, David was sure another job would come quickly; after all, he had experience and skills. But weeks turned to months, and door after door closed in his face.

In that long season of waiting, as uncertainty crept in, David’s wife Anne was diagnosed with a serious illness. Suddenly, the reason for his unemployment became clear. God had placed him at home for this very moment—to care for Anne, to be her rock, to offer comfort only a loving husband could give. David surrendered his anxiety and whispered, “Jesus, I trust in You.” In time, Anne’s health improved, and David was led to a new job, one that allowed him to help not only his family, but others in need, too. Looking back, he saw God’s hand guiding him, every step of the way, through disappointment to hope.

From Fear and Doubt to Faith and Trust: The Journey of Thomas and the Disciples

This story, friends, is not so different from the journey of the disciples in our Gospel today. They are locked away in fear, their lives turned upside down by loss and bewilderment. Jesus, the one they trusted, had died. Their hopes seemed finished. Yet into that locked room, Jesus appears, speaking words that must have sounded almost impossible: “Peace be with you.” He shows them His wounds—the marks of His suffering and love—and the disciples rejoice. But Thomas isn’t there. When the others tell him, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas cannot bring himself to believe. Maybe he’s protecting himself from more heartbreak. Maybe he’s just being honest about his doubts.

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3 Reasons Why I Am Thankful for Divine Mercy Sunday!

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On April 30th, 2000 Pope John Paul II officially designated the second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. The designation was in celebration of the canonization of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska—the Polish nun who received the devotion from Jesus! My wife’s Confirmation saint is St. Maria Faustina and in recent years of our marriage I have been more familiar with her teaching by reading the Polish nun’s diary. While I could write for pages about the joys of this feast, I will limit myself to three reasons for why I am grateful for Divine Mercy Sunday.

divine mercy.jpg

Judgment + _____________= Love

I bet you can’t guess blank to fill out the equation. Let me give you a clue: the word is in the title of today’s post. You guessed it—mercy! The Church’s renewed focus on Divine Mercy to start the new millennium gave me a renewed focus as well. I grew up usually thinking about the power of God and His ability to judge us. For whatever reason I viewed God more as a judge and less like a merciful Father. Divine Mercy Sunday is a gift that helps remind me that God, though a judge, is a merciful judge and will give me many chances to correct the mistakes I make.

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Do Not Be Afraid: Living the Hope and Glory of the Resurrection

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

Easter Sunday Homily Reflection — Matthew 28:1-10

My friends, let me begin with a story from right here, in our own time.

A few years ago, a man in his fifties named Davide faced the most difficult season of his life. He had lost his job over a year ago and, try as he might, he had a very difficult time getting hired; no one seemed to want him—maybe because he was close to retirement? Who knew. On top of that, his beloved wife, Anita, had fallen seriously ill from a relentless illness.

The doctors’ news was never what they hoped for, and each day seemed to bring new worries. Fear crept in during the quiet hours—fear for their future, fear for Anita’s health, fear that life’s best days had already passed. Davide, who had always been the steady one in his family, now felt anything but steady. Yet, each morning, he found himself waking early, sitting by Anita’s bedside in the dim morning light, quietly praying for strength, for healing, for hope.

One morning, after an especially tough night filled with worry, Davide noticed their neighbor, Mrs. Carter, struggling to put out her trash bins. Despite his exhaustion and the heavy weight of his own fears, he went out to help her. As they talked, Davide learned that Mrs. Carter was afraid too—her husband had died the year before, and loneliness had become a shadow over her days. Over the next weeks, Davide made it a habit to check on Mrs. Carter, sharing small acts of kindness, a warm meal, a listening ear. With each visit, Davide felt his own fears ease just a little. He began to see that he wasn’t alone—everyone carried fears, and everyone needed hope.

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Easter Sunday: The Joyful Center of Our Faith

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Easter Sunday stands as the radiant heart of Christianity, the day the Church rejoices in the living truth that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. This isn’t just a commemoration of a past event. It’s the foundation of our faith and the beginning of a new creation. As the Catechism teaches, “The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ” (CCC 638). When we say ‘Christ is risen,’ we proclaim that God’s love has conquered sin and death and now invites every believer to live a new kind of life.

The Meaning of Easter Sunday

In Catholic tradition, Sunday takes on new meaning because of Easter. It is the “first day of the week,” recalling the first creation, and at the same time, the “eighth day,” symbolizing the dawn of a new creation (CCC 349). The Resurrection did not simply end something. It began something entirely new. That’s why every Sunday is, in truth, a “weekly Easter,” and why the Church gathers around the Risen Lord week after week to encounter Him at the table of the Eucharist.

Easter celebrates the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. While it’s fine to enjoy the lighthearted customs of the season, like colorful eggs or the Easter bunny for the kids, it’s essential to remember that these traditions flow from the deeper mystery of Christ’s victory. The Resurrection is about real transformation. It is God’s renewal breaking into the world, into our world.

Jesus Resurrection
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Saints Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea: Witnesses to Spiritual Renewal and the Dignity of Life

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The encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, as recounted in the Gospel of John, offers a glimpse into the transformative power of spiritual rebirth through baptism. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, seeks wisdom under the cover of night. This darkness can be seen as symbolic of his initial lack of understanding or hesitation to fully embrace the truth of Jesus’ message. Yet, by approaching Jesus, Nicodemus takes the first step out of this spiritual darkness.

Their conversation centers around the concept of baptism—a second birth that ushers believers into the realm of the spirit. Through baptism, individuals shed their old selves, emerging as adopted children of God, free from the constraints of original sin. Nicodemus’s willingness to engage in dialogue, despite his initial reservations, demonstrates his openness to spiritual growth. He becomes a beacon of hope for all who seek understanding and a deeper connection with divine truth.

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The Bridge to the Father: Jesus’ Work on Good Friday

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My family doesn’t travel a lot due to a variety of reason but when we do it’s special. There’s excitement of the anticipation of going to a “new” place or a destination. But it also involves tons of angst and worry. It takes planning to make the trip go smoothly (and by smoothly I mean not a complete ship-wreck). As the kids have gotten older we have been able to travel more and more. Still not super far from home. Usually it’s a couple hours away to visit family and friends.

This weekend we are going to my son’s state basketball for Special Olympics. It’s been an event circled on our calendar for months now. Last year we went too and he got to eat Froot Loops for breaksfast at the hotel. We aren’t staying in a hotel this time but he wanted to keep things like last year and so I pick up a couple small bowls of Tuscan Sam’s favorite cereal. I think it helped with his anxiety. My son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and he can sometimes struggle with change. Consistency is key for him to stay regulated. And I suppose that’s the same for many of us.

We like to stick with what is familiar. To stay in the comfort of our daily routine and to know what to expect. And that is a good. It is good to have a habit and order in our lives. But it is not the highest good. When our need for control overcomes other goods and ultimately the highest Good (who is God) that is when it begins a problem.

I am writing this reflection on Palm Sunday, the start of the most important week of the liturgical calendar: Holy Week. The Cathoilic Church in Her wisdom has guided the faithful in preparing for this week during all of Lent. Lent is a time to fasting, increase our prayer, and be generous with our time, talents, and treasures. And we are called to an even deeper penance this Holy Week.

I think it is fitting that I am traveling while writing (I’m in the passenger seat so don’t worry) and it’s on Palm Sunday. As Catholics we are called to enter into the Mysery of the Lord’s Paschal Mystery.

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