SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

Acts 4:32-35

Ps 117:2-4,15-18, 22-24

1 John 5:1-6

John 20:19-31

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

On this second Sunday of Easter, declared “Divine Mercy Sunday” by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000, we celebrate God’s merciful love manifested to us through the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Indeed, the mystery of our redemption is inseparable from the mystery of God’s mercy. Thus, in today’s gospel, the Risen Christ appears to his disciples and shows them the marks of his Passion, expression of God’s Mercy for mankind. 

In effect, the risen Lord appeared to the disciples behind their closed doors and helped them overcome their fear and anxiety. It was in the evening of the resurrection. Then, Jesus said to them: “Peace be with you”. Showing them the wounds, he entrusted them with a mission: “... As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Henceforth, they were to continue his mission, becoming ministers of God’s mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation. To empower them for this task, he breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit. On account of this encounter, the disciples were overwhelmed with joy. They were renewed, and their hope revived. 

As such, we may draw three important lessons from today’s liturgy. First, we are invited, like the disciples, to contemplate the sacred wounds of Jesus, which manifest God’s steadfast love, unconditional forgiveness and unfathomable mercy for each one of us. For the Divine Mercy is the source of peace and joy, forgiveness and consolation, reconciliation and renewal. 

Second, the appropriate response to God’s merciful love manifested in Christ is faith: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Like Thomas, we may have to go through moments of doubts and uncertainties, fears and anxieties; but we must know that faith is our powerful weapon to conquer the world and its challenges (cf. 1 John 5:1-6). 

Third, as baptized, we are sent to continue the mission of Christ in the world. Like the early believers, we are to bear witness to Christ’s resurrection, not only with words but also with deeds: sharing, compassion, forgiveness, generosity and works of mercy. Thus, we will be able to overcome our world marked by selfishness, individualism, division, desire to exploit others, etc. Let us pray the Risen Lord to renew us in his merciful love and make us his authentic witnesses. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen.