# Good Friday Reflections and the Fourth Day of the Divine Mercy Novena
*2020-04-09*

> Bill Young reflects on the meaning of Good Friday, shares a reading from St. Maria Basile’s diary, and leads the fourth day of the Divine Mercy Novena, praying for those who do not yet know God.

## Good Friday and the Grain of Wheat

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today is Good Friday, the day we remember Jesus’ death on the cross 2,000 years ago and his resurrection three days later. Father Henry J.M. Newman’s meditation, titled “Through Death to Victory,” reminds us of John 12:24: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” The cross was the moment of greatest fruitfulness for Christ, and through his death we are invited to bear fruit in our own lives.

## Reading from St. Maria Basile’s Diary

I read a passage from the diary of St. Maria Basile (1738). In it, the Lord says, “Enter into the purgatory often, for the souls there need you.” Jesus replies, “My daughter, I am mercy itself. The greatest wickedness does not enkindle my wrath; rather, my heart is moved to great mercy.” He desires the souls of those who have never believed in Him, and today’s fourth day of the Divine Mercy Novena is dedicated to those very souls.

## Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

We begin with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, followed by the Divine Mercy Litany and the traditional prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, Apostles’ Creed). After the prayers, I offered a special intention for the souls who do not yet know God:

“Most compassionate Jesus, light of my heart, receive into your most compassionate heart the souls who do not believe in God and those who have not yet known you. May the rays of your grace enlighten them, that they may share in your wonderful mercy.”

We concluded with the Litany of Divine Mercy, invoking the many ways God’s mercy sustains us.

## Looking Ahead to Divine Mercy Sunday

Next week is Divine Mercy Sunday (April 19), which this year coincides with my wedding anniversary. Normally we would attend Mass, receive communion, and go to confession, but this year we must do everything virtually. Father Chris Alor reminds us that the graces of Divine Mercy Sunday are available to all who pray the novena prayers with sincere contrition, even non‑Catholics.

## Closing Thoughts

Even in the midst of the pandemic, we continue to pray for the sick, for those in Philadelphia, and for all souls in need of God’s mercy. May the sacrifice of Good Friday bear abundant fruit in our lives and in the lives of those we pray for.

*Through Christ’s death we are called to become fruitful instruments of divine mercy for all souls.*