December 1, 2013 Sunday Mass Readings and Reflection - Jesus Is Coming Again

Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. – Romans 13:12

 DO IT GOD'S WAY

Tom was a medical representative for a pharmaceutical company. In his province, it was standard procedure that med reps drank with doctors and gave them women. Being the rookie in the job, he was ashamed to decline, even if his conscience was telling him it was wrong.

       So he went along and would drink only three bottles at the most. And while his companions would take their bar girl to a motel, he’d just chat with his the entire evening. But one day, he asked himself, “Am I more  concerned about losing my face over losing my soul?” So he went to his boss and said, “Sir, I’ve decided I won’t be drinking and offering women to my clients anymore.” His boss was shocked. He asked, “Are you crazy?  Why?” Tom said, “I’m a renewed Catholic. I can’t go against my faith.” The boss told him sternly, “Mark my words, you’ll lose your job.” Tom said, “Watch how God will work.”

       The next day, Tom gave Kerygma magazines to the doctors. Then he gave them Didache and then  Companion. He also worked doubly hard. In three months, Tom became the top-selling, top-performing med rep in the entire region.

       It takes courage to go against the tide and stand up for what you believe in. But in the end, God will reward you a thousand-fold. Bo Sanchez

First Sunday of Advent

1^ST READING

All Jews would try to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem at least once in their lifetime. This would be an opportunity for them to visit the Temple and make an offering. In the first millennium and beyond after Christ, Jerusalem remained the focal point of Christian pilgrimage, hence the Crusades. However, as important as it still is for its historical sites, Catholics, in particular, tend to prefer Rome. Pilgrimages are important in so far as they focus our attention on significant aspects of our faith.

Isaiah 2:1-5

1 This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; 3 many peoples shall come and say: “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many  peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. 5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

P S A L M

Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

1 I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the Lord.” 2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) 3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. 4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. (R) According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. (R) 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper! 7 May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings. (R) 8 Because of my brothers and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 Because of the house of the Lord, our God, I will pray for your good. (R)

2^ND READING

One of the clearest indications that someone or a movement is not moving under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit is if its practices are not “in the light.” Transparency is an important quality of the Holy Spirit. If someone has nothing to hide, he should be very transparent. If something is hidden, there is immediate cause for doubts to set in.

Romans 13:11-14

11 Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; 12 the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

GOSPEL
 

Jesus will come again and when He does, no one will be able to hide from the light of truth that will accompany Him. Our lives will be laid out before us and we will have to give an account of everything we have said and done. It is helpful to remember this so as to dissuade us from the erroneous thought that “it is OK if I do not get caught!”

Matthew 24:37-44

37 Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. 39 They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. 42 Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. 43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. 44 So too, you also must be  prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

 REFLECTION

JESUS IS COMING AGAIN

One of the changes I noticed in the Third Typical English Translation of the Mass is that the prayer immediately following the Our Father mentions that we are awaiting the “Blessed Hope,” which is the coming of Jesus in glory. This hope in the Second Coming of Jesus was very prominent in the Early Church and you can read it quite often in their attitudes, to the point that it seems they thought that Christ would come again in their lives. This is evident in 1 Thessalonians but, interestingly enough, not in 2 Thessalonians. What happened?

       We will not know what changed Paul’s mind in between the writing of those two epistles, but maybe after the first flush of his conversion he realized that Christ’s return may not be as soon as he first hoped or thought. It is important, however, that we do not allow apathy to take over and, thus, disregard the hope of His coming again. The hope of Jesus’ return can be a big motivating factor for us.

       One of the biggest challenges the Church faces today is apathy, that attitude or approach to the spiritual life that has lost any fervor or desire to be fully involved in the life of the Church. This can be the result of many factors that the Church needs to address if it is going to turn the situation around, but turn it around it must, as the life of the Church depends on all our involvement. It is also true that our individual salvation depends on our involvement as, with James, we must acknowledge that our faith is expressed in our works. Having faith means being a disciple of Jesus and doing what He would do in our situations.

       Let us never allow apathy to overcome us as we seek to give our best in the service of the Gospel and the Church in making known the Good News of salvation. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 "Holy Spirit, open my heart to receive the hope of the Second Coming of Jesus so that I will be more powerfully motivated to serve Him and my neighbor through the way I live my life."

Source:   http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2013-12-01

November 27, 2013 Wednesday Mass Readings and Reflection - Perrseverance vs Persecution

“Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand.” – Luke 21:14

1^ST READING 

Daniel again interprets the king’s dreams, not because he wants a reward for doing it but because he can, and he does not see why he shouldn’t help the king to prepare for the trying times ahead. The king recognizes him as a man of integrity and, thus, appoints him as the one to prepare the kingdom for the coming trial of famine. Daniel proves to be up to the task and many of the surrounding nations will come to him for help.

Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28

1 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his lords, with whom he drank. 2 Under the influence of the wine, he ordered the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar, his father, had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, to be brought in so that the king, his lords, his wives and his entertainers might drink from them. 3 When the gold and silver vessels taken from the house of God in Jerusalem had been brought in, and while the king, his lords, his wives and his entertainers were drinking 4 wine from them, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. 5 Suddenly, opposite the lampstand, the fingers of a human hand appeared, writing on the plaster of the wall in the king’s palace. When the king saw the wrist and hand that wrote, 6 his face blanched; his thoughts terrified him, his hip joints shook, and his knees knocked. 13 Then Daniel was brought into the presence of the king. The king asked him, “Are you the Daniel, the Jewish exile, whom my father, the king, brought from Judah? 14 I have heard that the Spirit of God is in you, that you possess brilliant knowledge and extraordinary wisdom. 16 I have heard that you can interpret dreams and solve difficulties; if you are able to read the writing and tell me what it means, you shall be clothed in purple, wear a gold collar about your neck, and be third in the government of the kingdom.” 17 Daniel answered the king: “You may keep your gifts, or give your presents to someone else; but the writing I will read for you, O king, and tell you what it means. 23 You have rebelled against the Lord of heaven. You had the vessels of his temple brought before you, so that you and your nobles, your wives and your entertainers, might drink wine from them; and you praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence. But the God in whose hand is your life breath and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify. 24 By him were the wrist and hand sent, and the writing set down. 25 “This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, TEKEL, and PERES. These words mean: 26 MENE, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; 27 TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; 28 PERES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

P S A L M 

Daniel 3:62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67

R: Give glory and eternal praise to him.

39 [Dan 3:62] “Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 40 [Dan 3:63] “Stars of heaven, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 41 [Dan 3:64] “Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 42 [Dan 3:65] “All you winds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 43 [Dan 3:66] “Fire and heat, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R) 44 [Dan 3:67] “Cold and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.” (R)

GOSPEL

Why does Jesus tell them not to prepare their defense? It is probably because the Holy Spirit will help us come up with better arguments than we can find on our own and He does not want the clarity of His arguments muddied by our own musings. At the very least, what we have here is an encouragement to trust that the Lord will never abandon us in our time of need.

Luke 21:12-19

12 Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

REFLECTION

PERSEVERANCE VS. PERSECUTIONS

Continuing from yesterday’s readings, we’re now even a notch higher in terms of the difficulties and trials previously mentioned. If yesterday, Jesus was hinting at wars and calamities, today He gives more direct warnings and prophecies on the persecutions we are to suffer.

       We might as well ask, are these scare tactics from the Lord? Well, if ever, an occasional jolt from God can be useful every now and then. And in any case, why should we be surprised or shocked? “No pupil is greater than his master... If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first... If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you,” Jesus once said. If He Himself underwent suffering and persecution, who are we, His followers, to be spared of them?

       We cling to Christ’s assurances, equally clear and explicit as the warnings He gave. (So they’re not all scare tactics, therefore.) There are at least three of such assurances in our Gospel reading:

       “I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.”

       “Not a hair on your head will be destroyed.”

       “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

     With such consoling words from Jesus, what is there to fear therefore? Everything will be provided for us — from the words for our defense against accusing kings and governors, to even the hairs on our heads! But the last of Jesus’ three statements stands out. Yes, we are assured of our salvation, but at the same time it is still subject to a condition, the fulfillment of which depends entirely on us. Quite simply, we must persevere. In other words, we must patiently endure all trials and sufferings.

       If endurance, patience and determination are the keys to our triumph, then so be it. Persecutions? Don’t worry, we have an answer to that: perseverance. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

 "Lord, thank You for Your everyday protection. Send Your Holy Spirit to be my guide in managing Your business here on earth. Cover me with Your armor of love always and grant me the grace to persevere when I am hated and persecuted by the world."

Source: http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2013-11-27

November 24, 2013 Sunday Mass Readings and Reflections - The Solemnity of Christ The King

He is the image of the invisible God. — Colossians 1:15

1^ST READING 

It is true that the Lord anoints us at baptism but then bestows a further anointing in the Spirit when He calls some of us to deeper responses and obedience to His will. This is not favoring one person over another but recognizing that certain tasks and roles require additional anointing and specific graces for them to be carried out successfully. Let us be satisfied in responding to the call that God has for us rather than worrying about whether or not someone else’s calling is better than ours.

2 Samuel 5:1-3

1 In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: “Here we are, your bone and your flesh. 2 In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.’” 3 When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the Lord, and they anointed him king of Israel.

P S A L M 

Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5

R: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

1 I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the Lord.” 2 And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem. (R) 3 Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. 4 To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. (R) According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David. (R)

2^ND READING

This hymn in praise of the Incarnation is very beautiful and worth spending some time with in meditation. It is important that we reflect on this sort of things often, as it will help us grow in our appreciation and understanding of God’s work of salvation. This, in turn, will help us follow Him more faithfully.

Colossians 1:12-20

12 Brothers and sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light. 13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

GOSPEL

The foolishness of those jeering at Jesus as He hangs on the cross will come back to haunt them eventually. The question I want answered is, “What do they think they are gaining by jeering at Jesus?” He is about to die, so even if He is your enemy, you have won. Where is your civility and graciousness? We should never gloat over another person’s defeat, as we never know when we might be in the same situation.

Luke 23:35-43

35 The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” 36 Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine 37 they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” 40 The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation?” 41 And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied to him,  “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” John 19-21

REFLECTION

HAIL, O CHRIST THE KING!

Today we remember in a special way the King of kings and Lord of lords: Jesus Christ Himself. It’s the last Sunday of the liturgical year, and it is as if we are crowning the year with this powerful affirmation of Jesus’ majesty and kingship.

       It is said that when Julian the Apostate lay on his deathbed, he had only one thing to say. All his years of persecuting the Church as Emperor of Rome went to naught. “Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!” He could only throw up his hands in despair and surrender.

       But look at the strange conquests of Christ the King, the “Galilean.” Practically all of them were outcasts, the muck of society. We have, among others, a thief (see today’s Gospel reading); a couple of tax collectors (the repentant sinners, Matthew and Zacchaeus), and a number of foreigners (the Samaritan woman, the Syro-Phoenician lady, the Samaritan leper, the Roman centurion, etc.).

       The King’s conquest was actually already there from the start. Merely a newborn babe, yet already kicking off the unique pattern of strange conquests: shepherds (at the birth of the King), astrologers (the Magi), infants and toddlers (the so-called Holy Innocents). And then up to the end, at the Crucifixion in Calvary, it was still the same. There He was on His throne (the cross): with a crown of thorns, His title identified by a makeshift sign on the space on top of His head, and placed between two thieves.

       Of those two, one asked to be taken down, the other asked to be taken up. It is such a consoling thought that the very first one to break into heaven (with the death of Jesus on the Cross) was a poor thief. Perhaps he was never religious or spiritual at all. He gambled with probably the only prayer he ever uttered in his life, and he won. He was able to steal nothing less than salvation itself, through his sincere repentance.

       And Christ the King indeed rewarded him. So, too, will He reward us, if we remain His loyal and sincere subjects. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

"Jesus, my Lord, my God, my King, like the “good” thief, remember me when it is my turn to leave this world."

Source:  http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2013-11-24

November 17, 2013 Sunday Mass Readings and Reflection - The End of The World

"Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky."  -Luke 21:10-11
 

1^ST READING 

The Day of Judgment looms large for us all. None of us can avoid it. The best thing we can do is to prepare well by living the Gospel to the best of our ability. God seeks perfection but focuses far more on the desire with which we seek it than our success in achieving that goal.

Malachi 3:19-20

19 Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the Lord of hosts. 20 But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.

 

P S A L M 

Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9

R: The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R) 7 Let the sea and what fills it resound, the world and those who dwell in it; 8 let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy. (R) 9 Before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to rule the earth; he will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity. (R)

2^nd READING 

Paul does not tolerate freeloaders. He would have a fit if he discovered any ”handout mentality” developing in any of the communities he founded. We should follow his lead and seek to promote the full dignity of the human person by helping them find the means to help themselves. One of the first responsibilities of the government is to provide work for its citizens. This is one of the most important focuses of the legislative agenda of the government.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

7 Brothers and sisters: You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, 8 nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. 9 Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. 11 We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. 12 Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.

GOSPEL

The amount the Church spends on buildings can very easily become a scandal. It is essential that the Church focuses on the people and not the material things under its care. Yes, stewardship demands we take care of all that is entrusted to us but the right balance must be found, lest we lose our focus on the things that truly matter — and it is people who should be our first concern.

Luke 21:5-19

5 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, 6 “All that you see here — the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” 7 Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 8 He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! 9 When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. 12 Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead to your giving testimony. 14 Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, 15 for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. 16 You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name, 18 but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. 19 By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

REFLECTION 

THE END OF THE WORLD AS GOOD NEWS?

I often wonder how people would react if the priest, after reading today’s Gospel in Holy Mass, would declare, “This is the Gospel of the Lord.” (Or, “This is the Good News of our salvation.”) Of course, the standard answer is, “Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.” But taking a second look at today’s Gospel passage, we wonder, “How on earth can this be Good News — with all those predictions of cosmic catastrophes, disasters and persecutions?”

       Come to think of it, those scary scenarios are not meant at all to terrorize or frighten us. In fact, they are meant to console and strengthen us, as they did for the early Christians, the first readers of the Gospel. Note well, in fact, the concluding verses: “Not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

       Apart from the exegetical and hermeneutical considerations of the Gospel episode, we can simply compare the end of the world to the situation of a school newcomer on his first day of classes. There is excitement and anticipation, but also nervousness and jitters. When at last the first day is over and it’s time to go home, we might ask, “Is that all?” Meaning, with the first day of classes over, is education over as well? If so, then we can just call off the rest of the school year, is that it?

       Certainly not. The first day of classes is just that: the first day, the beginning. Education, being the lifetime task that it is, is surely far from over just with the conclusion of the first day of classes.

       This analogy might help us understand the overall scenario of the world and its end, as well as the far greater reality of eternity and God. Life in this present world is just like the first day of classes. Yes, we are all excited and eager, but sooner or later it will all have to come to an end. The nervousness and fear are there too, understandably, but we all know that it doesn’t end there at all. Should destruction and fear threaten us, the reality of the eternal God is still there. It is still good news, after all. -Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

  

"Lord Jesus, may I learn to trust that, at the end of the world, You will be there."

Source:   http://kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2013-11-17

Prayer Guide To The Divine Mercy Chaplet

What is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy?

Saint Faustina was born Helena Kowalska in the village of Glogowiec west of Lodz, Poland, on August 25, 1905. She was the third of ten children. When she was almost twenty, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, whose members devote themselves to the care and education of troubled young women.

The following year she received her religious habit and was given the name Sister Maria Faustina, to which she added "of the Most Blessed Sacrament," as was permitted by her Congregation's custom.

In the 1930s, Sister Faustina received from the Lord a message of mercy that she was told to spread throughout the world. She was asked to become the apostle and secretary of God's mercy, a model of how to be merciful to others, and an instrument for reemphasizing God's plan of mercy for the world.

The message of mercy that Sister Faustina received is now being spread throughout the world; she has been recognized by the Church as a "Saint"; and her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, has become the handbook for devotion to The Divine Mercy. She would not have been surprised, for she had been told that the message of God's mercy would spread through her writings for the great benefit of souls.

Through Saint Faustina, Jesus also revealed special ways to live out the response to His mercy–one of which is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, as both a novena and a prayer for the three o'clock hour–the hour of His death.

 The 3 O'clock Prayer

You died Jesus, but the source of life flowed out for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fountain of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, cover the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

O Blood and Water, which flowed out from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world (3x)

Jesus, King of Mercy.. 
We Trust In You!

How To Pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet

The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary rosary beads of five decades.

1.    Make a Sign of the Cross 

2.    Say and pray your intentions using ACTS (Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication)

3.    Our Father       

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

4.    Hail Mary 

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen. 

5.    Apostle's Creed (Original Version)

I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, 
he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven 
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, 
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, 
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen

6.     On the large bead before each decade

Eternal Father,
I offer you the Body and Blood,
Soul and Divinity,
of Your Dearly Beloved Son,
Our Lord, Jesus Christ,
in atonement for our sins
and those of the whole world.

7.    On the ten small beads of each decade, says..

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.

After 5 decades, conclusion prayer.. 

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One

Have Mercy on us and on the whole world (3x)  

Amen.

Jesus, King of Mercy

We trust in You. 

Our Lord said to Saint Faustina:

"Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you ... Whoever will say it will receive great mercy at the hour of death ... When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between my Father and the dying person, not as the Just Judge but as the Merciful Savior ... Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to say this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from my infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy ... Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will."

Source:   http://www.catholicity.com/prayer/divinemercy.html