DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

II EASTER SUNDAY - John 20:19-31

Pope Saint John Paul II established the second Easter Sunday as the Divine Mercy Sunday. We are invited to celebrate God’s mercy in an attitude of thanksgiving, giving praise to God for his eternal mercy. His mercy is the paramount proof of his love. That’s why we repeat with the psalmist:

Let the sons of Israel say:

  ‘His love has no end.’

Let the sons of Aaron say:

  ‘His love has no end.’

Let those who fear the Lord say:

  ‘His love has no end.’ (Psalm 118)

In his first letter, Peter praises God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for his great mercy which has led him to accept us as his sons. This is a cause of great joy for us. We may go through hardships and suffering, and our faith may be put to the test, but this faith will lead us to the salvation of our souls.

God’s mercy is the fountain of the mercy we must exercise to our brothers. This mercy makes reconciliation possible. Jesus entrusted to his disciples the ministry of reconciliation (2 Co 5:18-19). In his gospel, John clearly presents Jesus entrusting to his disciples the power to forgive sins, that is, to exercise mercy. It is through them that, in the Church, we receive mercy. Then, as we ask for the forgiveness of sins, we must forgive all those who have injured us.

Jesus entrusted to the Church the mission he received from the Father: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” To enable us to carry out this mission, he gave his disciples the Holy Spirit. It is in the power of the Spirit, poured upon the Church by Jesus Christ, that the ministry of reconciliation is exercised.

The first reading (Acts 2:42-47) and the gospel stress the importance of the Church as a community of believers. The bonds of love that establish the communion of the children of God demand our participation and our commitment to the community so that we may be, like the first Christians, “one heart and soul" (Acts 4:32). In the gospel, Thomas was absent from the Sunday assembly. That's why he could not make the experience of the encounter with the Risen Jesus Christ. Once he gathered with the other disciples, he recognised the Lord's presence and was able to profess his faith: “My Lord and my God!” This is our profession of faith as well. This is the profession of faith of the Church. With him we say: “My Lord and my God!”