Low Sunday or Divine Mercy? - Rector's Rambling for April 19, 2020

This Sunday has several names in addition to The First Sunday after Easter.

On the calendar used by the new prayer book in the Episcopal Church this Sunday is known as “Doubting Thomas Sunday” because the reading assigned in the new order is the story of Thomas doubting the account of his friends that they had seen the Resurrected Jesus.  He says he won’t believe unless he sees and actually touches Him.  A week after the Resurrection Jesus appears again, this time with Thomas present, and offers his wounds as proof.  “My Lord and my God”, Thomas exclaims as he falls down in worship.

In the Roman Catholic Church this Sunday is known as Divine Mercy Sunday.  This is a relatively new title, promulgated by John Paul II in 2000 after the devotion by Sr. Faustina Kowalska, a fellow Pole, who had a vision of Jesus in 1931.  A painting by her of that vision has become well known.  In it we see Jesus with rays of divine love and mercy emanating from his heart, and the phrase “Jesus I trust in you” underneath (Jesu ufam Tobie in the original Polish).  It is a wonderful follow- up to the Resurrection because it is by Jesus’ Death and Resurrection that we receive the Divine Mercy of the forgiveness of our sins.

But there is a third title for this Sunday, albeit not an official one on any calendar.  It is known as Low Sunday.

After the Easter Sunday celebration with a very large congregation, a full choir (with brass in our case), and all the highest of liturgical offering, the First Sunday after Easter has LOW attendance, LOW choir staffing (and no brass) and LOWer liturgical offering without as much “smells and bells” as the week before.

This year, of course, everything is different.  Last week was not the wonder-filled observation we have become accustomed to, and this week’s service, with the exception of the readings, will be liturgically like last week’s offering.

But we hear once again the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection appearance in the upper room to the disciples, and rejoice again at his greeting of peace and the assurance of the forgiveness of sins.  And that COVID19 cannot take away.