Acts 4:32-35
Ps 117:2-4,15-18, 22-24
1 John 5:1-6
John 20:19-31
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
If the Risen Christ appears to his disciples many times, it is to strengthen their faith, and assure them that he has not abandoned them. Henceforth, he is present and active in the sacraments to offer them consolation and reconciliation. Today, he shows them the marks of his Passion, expression of God’s Mercy for mankind.
John narrates the appearance of the Risen Lord to his disciples. In the evening of the day of his resurrection, Jesus offered three gifts to his disciples: peace, the Holy Spirit and a mission. The peace he gives them is the peace that forgives, forgets their failures and mistakes, reconciles them with himself and assures them of his presence. He breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit to strengthen them for the mission he entrusts them. Their mission is to be his representatives in the world as ministers of God’s mercy, as he himself is the Face of God’s mercy.
Moreover, today’s gospel outlines the appropriate response to Jesus’ resurrection: faith. After one week of doubt, Thomas finally makes a great and unparalleled confession of faith in the Risen Jesus: “My Lord and my God”. According to the second reading, faith in the Risen Lord as the Son of God is the great weapon to overcome the world (1 John 5:1-6).
If we profess and live out our faith in Jesus Christ as we ought, indeed, we shall overcome today’s world marked by selfishness, individualism, corruption, division, consumerism, desire to exploit others, etc. Our faith will inform us that we ought to live our life with and for others. The first Christians understood this; that is why they put their belongings in common, sharing them to each according to his needs (Acts 4:32-35).
Let us also cultivate the habit of sharing. May the Risen Lord help us be authentic witnesses of his resurrection. Amen
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