Divine Mercy: God's Everlasting Enduring Mercy - Seeing is Believing!

Divine Mercy Sunday, 2nd Sunday of Easter: April 16, 2023

Readings: Acts 2:42–47; Psalm 118:2–4, 13–15, 22–24;1 Peter 1:3–9; John 20:19–31

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/y2gRnwMtFSk

The second Sunday of Easter is a special day in the liturgical calendar, as it celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the victory of life over death. This day is also celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday which recalls the infinite mercy of God. The Resurrection is, indeed, the symbol of love and forgiveness that God offers us through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who received numerous visions of Jesus and wrote extensively about His divine mercy, encouraged people to trust in Jesus and His mercy, and to spread His message of love and forgiveness throughout the world. The liturgical readings of the day, enable us to strengthen our faith in God in spite of the odds and confusion that are all around us.

1. Risen Jesus drives away fear and doubt

St John, the Gospel writer in 20:19-31 recounts the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection. The disciples were in a state of fear and uncertainty, locked behind closed doors, when Jesus suddenly appeared to them. He offered them peace and showed them his wounds, proving that he had indeed risen from the dead. The story then goes on to focus on the disciple Thomas, who was not present when Jesus first appeared to the others. When he was told about it, he expressed doubt, saying that he would only believe if he could see and touch the wounds himself. A week later, Jesus again appeared to the disciples, and this time Thomas was present. Jesus invited him to touch his wounds, and Thomas believed.

This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and trust. Even though seeing helps in believing yet, belief in the Almighty without seeing can be much more credible. Like the disciples, we too have experienced times of fear and uncertainty, times when we feel locked behind closed doors with no way out. In those moments, it can be difficult to see the light and to have faith that things will get better. But the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope. When we trust in something greater than ourselves, we can find the strength to persevere, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

2. Risen Jesus brings peace and calms the troubles

The frequently used phrase in the resurrection narrative is "peace be with you." In times of trouble, doubt, fear, anxiety, suffering, pain, sorrow, anguish, and death, only peace might help a person to calm down and overcome all sorts of loss. With the death of Jesus, Thomas the Apostle lost all hope that he had in his master. He found no meaning in whatsoever even in the words of his fellow apostles. He became skeptical of the Resurrection and looks for evidence. He believed in authenticity and realism. The apparition of the resurrected Jesus offers him this opportunity to enter into realism by allowing his hand to put into his chest and fingers into the wounds of his hands. 

This episode reminds us of the importance of being open to the unexpected. Thomas initially expressed doubt and skepticism, but when he was presented with evidence, he was willing to change his mind and believe. This is a powerful lesson for all of us, as it encourages us to keep an open mind and be willing to change our beliefs when presented with new evidence or experiences. With faith and hope, we too can encounter new possibilities that come with new life in Christ.

3. Risen Jesus, a living hope and inheritance

The passage from 1 Peter 1:3-9 is a beautiful reminder of the hope and joy that we have as Christians, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The passage begins by reminding us of the "living hope" that we have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope is not something that we just believe in, but it is a living reality that we can experience in our lives. As Christians, we are called to live in the hope of the resurrection, trusting that God is with us and that He has a plan for our lives. This faith in Christ is not based on what we can see, but on what we know to be true through the testimony of the apostles and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As Christians, we are called to live in faith, trusting in Christ even when we cannot see Him.

The passage also speaks of the "inheritance" that we have in Christ, which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. This inheritance is not something that we earn or achieve, but it is a gift of grace that is given to us by God. As Christians, we are called to live in light of this inheritance, remembering that our ultimate home is in heaven with God. We receive God's gifts provided we trust and are open to His plan in our lives knowing that we have a living hope and an imperishable inheritance in Christ. As Christians, we are called to live as Easter people, embracing the new life that Christ offers us and sharing this joy and hope with others. 

Questions for reflections:

1. How do I respond to Jesus' invitation of peace in my life? Am I open to receiving the peace that comes from knowing Him, even in the midst of difficult circumstances?
2. Have I experienced the reality of Jesus' Resurrection in my own life? How has this transformed me, and how does it impact the way I live and interact with others?
3. Do I struggle with doubt or skepticism in my faith? If so, what steps can I take to deepen my faith and trust in God's promises?
4. How do I respond to the call to share the good news of Jesus with others? Do I have a sense of urgency and passion for evangelism, or do I hesitate or hold back?
5. Am I willing to allow Jesus to reveal Himself to me in new and unexpected ways? How can I cultivate a spirit of openness and receptivity to His leading in my life?

Prayer: Based on Psalm 118

Dear God, we come before you with grateful hearts, for you are good and your love endures forever. We give thanks to you, for you have heard our cries and answered our prayers. You have become our salvation, and we rejoice in your victory over sin and death. You are the cornerstone of our faith, the foundation on which we stand.

We ask that you continue to pour out your grace and mercy upon us, that we may live in the light of your love and share it with others. Help us to trust in you always, even in the face of trials and tribulations. For you are our strength and our song, and we give thanks to you with all our hearts. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ 

April 14, 2023