Divine Mercy!

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Second Sunday of Easter/Sunday of Divine Mercy

Acts 4:32-35; 1 Jn 5:1-6; Jn 20:19-31

Celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday, we find the theme explicit in the readings. 

The first reading shows what true faith looks like in action. The beloved community living out the values of unity, detachment, sharing, sacrifice, and missionary zeal are indeed God’s blessings for those who search for God sincerely. Faith is God’s gift. A faithful life proclaims God’s mercy. 

The second reading puts forward obedience to God’s law as exemplifying the love of God and the love of neighbour. This is why the commandments are not burdensome. Our love for God and one another is linked with right belief in Jesus by means of God’s commandments. Why should we believe in Jesus? It is because Jesus came representing God’s mercy not only by water, which refers to his baptism but also by blood, which signifies his crucifixion. 

In the Gospel, we find the Risen Lord appearing to the disciples. The passage clearly mentions the fear that characterized the lives of the disciples. ‘For fear of Jews’ they kept the doors locked. It is to them that Jesus shows himself. By wishing them ‘peace,’ the Lord takes away their fear. The Gospel describes that they rejoiced. With the Risen Lord, fear gives way to joy. 

Secondly, the case of Thomas need not be a case for doubt. Maybe he wanted to see the Risen Lord himself. Or there was a sincere search in his heart to understand the truth of the resurrection. If Thomas had truly doubted the resurrection, he would have put his hand and finger to verify the wounds when Jesus showed himself. On the contrary, Thomas surrenders himself completely. In his surrender, St. Thomas confesses the Divinity of the Risen Lord through his words, ‘My Lord, My God!’ What a beautiful confession!

Thirdly, the Gospel also refers to ‘many other signs’ that have not been written in John’s Gospel. However, what we must understand is that there were enough signs for the disciples to believe in the Risen Lord. 

Today’s readings inspire us with three lessons for life.  

Faith in Action: Christian faith demands action. Faith is that which does justice. The early Christian community proclaimed the Good News more through action. The gracious gift of faith needs to demonstrate the Divine Mercy that we are privileged with. 

Saved by the Blood of Christ: We understand God’s mercy through the redeeming sacrifice of Christ. Though we did not deserve it, Christ died for our sins. This love of Christ should be the motivation for our faith. 

Faith as Surrender: Thomas is an excellent example of surrender. The attitude of surrender leads to an intimate relationship with God. When St. Thomas was overwhelmed, all he could say was, ‘My Lord and My God!’

Let us pray that our lives may proclaim the gift of Divine Mercy!

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar