Lop Notes

14 April 2026

"God of Mercy, God of Grace"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of "God of Mercy, God of Grace":

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

This week, the week of 12-18 April, is being observed as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

First sponsored in 1981, National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is designed to be a time to celebrate and thank the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community who dedicate their lives to serving the public.

Background information:

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of applesauce.

Cassian Iozzo, O.P., on High Fives and the Final Judgment

"After straining your whole being to its breaking point - every nerve tensed, every thought concentrated - the sudden realization of victory explodes with stunning violence. Your mortal frame shakes as it struggles to constrain the exuberant soul that animates it. You then lock eyes with a friend genuinely sharing your joy, as two flames combined into one ferocious blaze. And how can the material body, tasked with making visible the invisible reality of the soul, express such spiritual intensity? Two words: high five.

"What could rival a true high five?. . ."

In a recent commentary, Brother Cassian Mary Iozzo, O.P., reflected on the high five that comes with folded hands as one shares in God's perfect victory.

To access Br. Cassian's complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: High Fives and the Final Judgment (14 APR 26)

Reflection Starter from Fulton Sheen

"Live each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. So climb slowly, enjoying each passing moment; and then the view from the summit will serve a more rewarding climax for your journey." - Ven. Fulton J. Sheen

12 April 2026

"O Merciful Redeemer"

As we continue our Sunday of Divine Mercy celebration, I offer this version of "O Merciful Redeemer":

Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

Today the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy). The assigned readings for the Mass of Easter Day are Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 1:3-9, and John 20:19-31. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 118 (Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Spirit & Psalm 2026 - Easter 2 - Psalm

The Gospel reading is as follows:

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.