CELEBRATING GOD’S MERCIFUL LOVE

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY (II EASTER SUNDAY) -  John 20:19-31

The Pope Saint John Paul II dedicated this Sunday to the Divine Mercy to remind us of what we should be aware of daily, that is God is merciful and is mercy is always plentiful. He never gets tired of accepting us with a welcoming embrace, forgiving our sins and clothing us with the justice and the holiness of Jesus Christ. Celebrating the Divine Mercy, we are celebrating the outpouring of God’s love upon us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (Jn 3:16-17) That’s why we sing with the Psalm 118: “His steadfast love endures forever.” (Ps 118:2-4). 

Jesus came to reconcile us with God, so that we may be accepted in God’s household as members of his family. And he entrusted to his disciples the same mission he had received from the Father: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” (Jn 20:21). In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul says that God “has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Co 5:18). The Gospel of John makes it very clear when, after the resurrection, Jesus imparted the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, giving them the authority to forgive sins:

“Receive the Holy Spirit. 

If you forgive the sins of any, 

they are forgiven them; 

if you retain the sins of any, 

they are retained.” (Jn 20:22-23)

Jesus came to establish the community of reconciled people since the reconciliation with God implies the reconciliation with the others. Being forgiving, we learn to forgive. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents the fruits of a reconciled community: “The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul”, and this communion made possible the sharing of everything. Strengthened with the Spirit, they were able to pay attention to the needs of each of their members. Selfishness gave place to the love expressed in the service of others.

Let us give thanks to the Lord, for “His steadfast love endures forever”.