By Olivia Obijiaku
The Parish Priest of Immaculate of Mary Parish, Fegge Onitsha, Rev Fr Sampson Ogbuebuna has identified the mercy of God as the last hope of humanity, affirming that Jesus died because of His compassion for transgressors.
The priest who made this known in the parish on Divine Mercy Sunday, 7th April 2024 explained that participating fully in the Solemnity by going for confession a day before or few days after Divine Mercy Sunday; attending Mass and receiving the Holy Communion on that day guarantees one total forgiveness of all their sins as well as their inherent punishments.He urged participants to offer the Communion they receive on that Sunday for the good of their families even as he charged the unprepared to reclaim the full pardon for their sins which accrue from the celebration, by going for confession within the stipulated period.“Divine Mercy is the last hope of humanity.”
The clergyman catechized. “After creation, the justice of God was in action. That was why when Adam and Eve sinned, God chased them from the Garden of Eden. Though God seeks justice, His mercy is still at work, He never wanted man to perish. It is because of this mercy that Jesus died for us. Man continued to commit sin despite the death of Christ.
That is why in today’s Gospel, Jesus gave the disciples the power to forgive sins. If not we would have been like sheep without a shepherd. It is this grace that makes your healing and that of your family possible and easy.The mercy of God is at the foundation of Jesus’ death.
It is this mercy of God that we are celebrating today. It means that once a year, all your sins and the punishments that are attached to them will be forgiven, if you participate fully in today’s celebration – whether you are a priest, religious or lay faithful.That is why Jesus tells you to believe and be not afraid. Believe in what God is doing for you. It is for your sake that Divine Mercy was established.
There would have been no Divine Mercy without you.Fr Ogbuebuna encouraged them to reconcile through the Sacrament of Penance so that they may receive the full benefit of the Solemnity praying that the mercy of God may protect, fight for them, and accompany them every day of their lives.
