2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A

Acts 2:42-47

Psalm 118

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

In 2000, during the Mass of canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska, Pope John Paul II declared the Sunday after Easter be called “Divine Mercy Sunday”, adding that “Divine Mercy reaches human beings through the heart of Christ crucified.” Therefore we celebrate today God’s merciful love manifested to us through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, in today’s gospel passage, the Risen Christ appears to his disciples and shows them the marks of his Passion, expression of God’s Mercy for mankind. 

We can imagine ourselves like the disciples who locked themselves up in the room for fear of the Jews, just as we too are locked down for fear of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, the first gift that the Risen Lord gave to his disciples, overwhelmed by fear, doubt and pain, was peace: “Peace be with you!” he said to them. 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. It is the peace that gives joy and hope. 

In the second reading, Peter addresses the Christians in the Diaspora, encouraging them to be joyful and hopeful despites the sufferings and trials that they might have to go through. For “God in his mercy has given us a new birth to a living hope” (1 Pet. 1:3-9). These words are addressed to us again today. With the Resurrection of Christ, “we acquire a fundamental right that can never be taken away from us: the right to hope. It is a new and living hope that comes from God” (Pope Francis). Thus, we should never give up or be discouraged no matter what. 

Moreover, in these difficult moments, the early Christians are given to us as models. They put their belongings in common, sharing them to each according to his needs. This is solidarity! Again, they were devoted to the teachings of the Apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to prayers (Acts 2:42-47). We are therefore challenged in these times of lock down to devote ourselves constantly to prayers, to the reading of the Word of God, to spiritual reading, and to communal life in the family. By so doing, we will make our homes “living domestic churches” and feel the presence of the Risen Lord. 

As the Risen Christ breathed on his disciples giving them the Holy Spirit, may he grant us the same Spirit to renew and strengthen us. May he assure us of his unfailing presence and increase our faith, hope and charity. Amen