# Praying for Nashville and the Divine Mercy Chaplet
*2023-03-28*

> Bill and John reflect on Scripture, share saintly wisdom, and lead a Divine Mercy chaplet, asking for prayers for the tragedy in Nashville and for those who have strayed from the Church.

## Scripture and Reflection

We began with the reading from Numbers 21:4‑39, where the Israelites, weary in the desert, complain to God. God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent; anyone who looks upon it after being bitten is healed. In John 8:21‑30, Jesus tells the Jews that He is going away and that those who do not believe will die in their sins. He emphasizes that He belongs to the Father above, not to this world, and that He does nothing on His own but only what the Father sends Him. The readings remind us that salvation comes through looking to Christ, the true source of mercy.

## Wisdom of the Saints

We consulted two short books. From Abraham Joshua Heschel’s *Israel: An Echo of Eternity* we heard that the Bible is a living beginning, its depths still unfathomed. The *Wisdom of the Saints* offered a daily quote from St. Vincent Ferrer: “Whatever you do, think not of yourself, but think of God.” St. Rose of Lima reminds us that “without the struggles of affliction it is impossible to reach the height of grace; the gift of grace increases as the struggles increase.” These insights helped us see our own frustrations—like the fish‑sandwich incident at home—as opportunities for growth in grace.

## The Divine Mercy Chaplet

We opened with the traditional prayer: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.” Then we recited the opening prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, invoking the blood and water that flowed from the Heart of Jesus. We prayed the Our Father, Hail Mary, the Apostles’ Creed, and the chaplet itself, repeating the refrain “I trust in you, O Divine Mercy.” The chaplet was offered for the souls of those who have died, for the suffering of the world, and especially for the tragedy that occurred at a Nashville school.

## Prayer for Nashville and for Those Who Have Strayed

We remembered the recent shooting at a Nashville elementary school, where a former student took the lives of children and staff. We asked that Catholic and Christian schools pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet regularly—perhaps weekly or at least before Good Friday—to invoke God’s protection and conversion. We also prayed a special intention for souls who have separated themselves from the Church, asking the Lord’s merciful heart to draw them back into communion.

The prayer read: “Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon the souls who have separated themselves from your Son’s Church. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of your Son, that they may be drawn into the light of your mercy and glorify your generosity forever.”

## Closing Prayer and Blessing

We concluded with a final prayer for divine mercy: “Gracious God, infinite in goodness, look kindly upon us. Increase your mercy in us so that we may not despair in difficulty, but submit confidently to your holy will. May your mercy shield us from all evil until the day of your glorious coming. Through Christ our hope, we pray. Amen.”

Bill invited listeners to email him with comments, questions, and prayer requests, and asked God to bless all who suffered in the Nashville tragedy.

*Turning to the Divine Mercy chaplet, we entrust our deepest sorrows and the souls who have strayed to the boundless compassion of Christ.*