On Sunday, April
12, the Maronite Church commemorates ‘New Sunday’, which is the eighth day of
the Church’s celebration of the Resurrection. Also, in the Roman
Catholic calendar it is the feast of Divine Mercy.
The following is an explanation of the meaning of ‘New
Sunday’ taken from the Maronite Divine Office.
“The first week
of the Season of the Resurrection, the week of Hawareyeen, has come to a
conclusion. During this week we have seen the various appearances of the Lord
to Peter and Mary Magdalene, seven disciples at the sea of Tiberias, the two
disciples on the road to Emmaus, and the disciples gathered together in the
Upper Room. Now the appearances of the Lord are over. In overcoming the
hesitation of Thomas, the Lord revealed to the Apostles the truth of the
Resurrection. Christ has Risen, truly Risen!
New Sunday once
and for all puts an end to the old way of looking at the Lord. He is no longer
revealed in the flesh (as the disciples experienced Him during His life with them);
nor in glory (as Thomas did). From now on, He is revealed in Spirit, through
the experience of faith and in the Mysteries (Sacraments). Only in the Spirit
is there a sharing in His Mystery of Redemption. His Word is crystal clear and
resounds for all ages and generations:
‘You have come to believe
because you saw me. Blessed are they
who have not seen and have believed’ (Jn
20:29).”