# Discovering God in Others
*2020-04-02*

> Bill Young reflects on how the pandemic reveals God’s call to bring back those who have left the Church, sharing a personal encounter and praying the fifth day of the Divine Mercy Novena.

## A Unexpected Encounter

I was reminded of today’s novena prayer—"bring me the souls of those who have separated themselves from my Church"—when a refrigerator repairman came to my home. He was a kind, family‑oriented man who had once helped build houses in Africa. As we talked, he confessed his disappointment with the mega‑churches he had attended, where wealth seemed more important than the Gospel. His story illustrated how many have drifted away from the true Church, seeking comfort in material things rather than in Christ.

## Why the Pandemic Is a Wake‑Up Call

The coronavirus has forced us into isolation, but it also offers a chance to draw closer to God. The Lord is calling His baptized flock—those who have left the Church—to return. No one is perfect, not even those who remain in the pews. The loss of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, makes us feel the absence of Christ’s Body and Blood. While we can make a spiritual communion online, it is not the same as receiving the real sacrament.

## The Fifth Day of the Divine Mercy Novena

Today we pray the fifth day of the Divine Mercy Novena, focusing on the souls who have separated themselves from the Church. The prayer asks God to draw them into the light of His mercy and to bring them back to communion with the Church. I read the following from Father Henry J. Newman:

"The closer we come to God, the closer we come to our brothers and sisters. God dwells not only in our hearts but also in the hearts of all people. When we see God in ourselves, we see Him in others."

We then recited the opening prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed, followed by the traditional Chaplet prayers.

## A Prayer for Return

We concluded with the novena petition:

"Most merciful Jesus, receive the souls of those who have separated themselves from your Church. Draw them into the unity of the Church and do not let them escape your compassionate heart. May they come to glorify your mercy."

The litany of Divine Mercy followed, praising God’s endless compassion and asking for His mercy on the whole world.

## Invitation to Communion

If you are away from the Church or need a rosary or prayer guide, please email me at wryyoung12@yahoo.com or reach out on Twitter @PrayerAndLunch. I have rosaries and pamphlets to share. Let us pray together, especially the daily rosary with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, to bring the world closer to Christ.

*Even in these unprecedented times, God calls us to bring back those who have drifted from the Church, trusting in His boundless mercy.*