Second Sunday (Divine Mercy), Year B

Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

·         Acts 2:42-47;

·          1 Pet 1:3-9.

·         John 20:19-31

The second Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as Low Sunday, and recently it has also been declared the Divine Mercy Sunday. The death of Jesus smashed the hopes of His disciples. Thomas likely was the worst affected: he was wounded and his mind was darkened by doubt and broken with grief. This explains why when at last the other disciples re-grouped, Thomas was nowhere to be found. When they found him they told him that Christ had risen. But he doubted the resurrection of Christ; and insisted on seeing the risen Christ and touching his wounds in order to believe. 

Many of us Christians are like Thomas. They have doubts, questions, and their demands for proof. Some would even say, “How can I believe that God loves me when I am suffering, sick and hungry?”  They are like the Pharisees who persisted in their unbelief even when there were so many signs for them to see. But Jesus told Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe ( Jn 20:29). Thus to go to church every Sunday because others are going is not to have faith. But to live in companionship with God and neighbor is the ideal thing. St. James asks, “What good is it if someone says he has faith but does not have good works. Can that faith save him? (Jas 2:14). Good works are done to neighbors – the community of God for the sake of God.

Thus, our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles exemplifies an ideal faith community. The early followers of Jesus supported one another by praying and worshipping together; and by rendering selfless and loving service to one another. In this wise, in the second reading St. Peter tells that faith in the resurrection of Jesus is the basis of our hope and eternal life. This hope enables us to bear patiently our trials and tribulations in life. By rejoining the rest of the apostles, Thomas did a noble act indeed.  Notably, as he rejoined his faith community, he re-encountered Jesus. And when he touched the wounds of the risen Christ his doubt turned into faith. Thomas’ drama underscores one very important truth: Before a car can start the main motor has to be put in motion.

No doubt, most Christians, like Thomas, have an idealized picture of Jesus. When our idealized picture of Jesus does not manifest itself we begin to doubt. But from Thomas we learn that by rejoining the faith community (the church), we re-encounter Christ; resolve our doubts and sustain our faith. Importantly, to his credit, Thomas is the first to proclaim the divinity of Jesus: “My Lord and my God,” (Jn 20:28).

Today’s bible readings also fit into the theme of Divine Mercy.” It is the Spirit of the Lord that enables the early Christian community of the 1st reading, to abandon their egos and selfishness and live, pray together, and share meals together, be forgiving to one another and be generous to one another as Christ had taught them. With all the homilies we have preached and heard, with all the sacraments we have celebrated, with all the catechism and bible classes we have taught and attended since our baptism, how many of us today are willing to share our bread and possession with the poor, which has remained the center- piece of Pope Francis’ ministry? This is Divine Mercy. How many are willing to bear witness to the Divine Mercy?

The entire event of Christ, his life, dead and resurrection is an event of Divine Mercy. Peter in the 2nd reading also captures this so well, when he says, “Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefined, and unfading” (1 Peter 1:3-9). God’s mercy, from the beginning to the end; from creation to the resurrection, is the source of our salvation. What can we do without the mercy of God through the Christ of Easter?

Today’s Gospel from John is a teaching Gospel. It intensifies this mercy of God in action. Christ mercifully appears to the disillusioned Apostles for the first time after his resurrection. He encourages them. He brings them peace and joy and wishes them well. He breathed his spirit of mercy, love, kindness and compassion on them saying, “whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”  In other words, inviting them to bear witness to Divine Mercy, He further sets an example by forgiving the doubting Thomas of his unbelief, doubts and skepticism, and reminds us that none of our weaknesses, doubts, frailties, and faithlessness are too difficult for God to forgive- provided we are willing to say like Thomas “My Lord and my God.” He also reminds us that none of our neighbors’, spouses’ , friends’ weaknesses is too difficult to forgive provided we allow the Spirit of the Lord to dwell in us, to work in us, to take effect in us.

Today’s celebration challenges us to listen to Pope Francis. It challenges us share our bread, possessions with our neighbors. It challenges us not to be too harsh even on ourselves. It challenges us to appreciate the sacrament of penance. It challenges us to bear witness to the divine mercy. To love one another. To show mercy, spiritually and corporally to those we encounter each day, especially the poor, the needy and those in prisons.

Divine mercy should challenge us to be merciful to one another just as our heavenly Father is merciful to each of us (Luke 6:36). Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us also that God will be merciful to those who are merciful (Matt. 5:7). The apostle James (2:13) expand more on this teaching when he writes that judgement will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement.

One of the key sicknesses of our world is the lack of mercy starting from our families. Little things degenerate into huge fights fought with deep bitterness and resentment. Mercy has gone on vacation in most families with people barely managing and tolerating themselves instead of celebration one another. Communities are divided into various factions and Nations are in turmoil because people are deficient of the milk of kindness and mercy.

We are encouraged to look forward to and pray for divine mercy. God loves us more and attends to us when we come to Him asking mercy. David was not shy to say: “ Have mercy on me oh God in your compassion” (Psalm 51:1). The blind man Bartimaeus shouted it: “Jesus Son of David have mercy on me” (Mark 10: 47).  Today, we are also challenged to become channels of mercy for everyone we meet in the journey of life; especially those who hurt us. The deeper the hurt the greater the flow of mercy. As we celebrate God’s divine mercy, let us continue to expand the borders of mercy wherever we go; today God is giving you a new name: Mercy.