Second Sunday Of Easter Year C, By Rev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior, C.S.Sp

1st Reading: Acts 5:12-16 / Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:2-4.22-24.25-27a (R. 1) 2 nd Reading: Revelations 1:9-11a.12-13.17-19/Gospel Acclam: Jn.20:29/Gospel: John 20:19-31

Theme: Christ Is Alive And His Mercy Endures Forever

Today, God opens the depth of his heart as if an open-heart surgery was being carried out. In this heart flows the boundless and limitless fountain of his merciful love, the love that sacrifices even unto death. The readings encourage us to reflect on this, and to practise mercy in our daily lives.

In the first reading, we see the manifestation of the resurrection power in the lives of the apostles. We read that “Many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles” (Acts 5:12), to the extent that “the people held them in high honour” (Acts 5:13). The result of such transforming power was that “…Believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed” (Acts 5:14-16). Thus, the bond of unity and peace as well as, healing flowing from Divine Mercy, are the resultant effects of the resurrection power; and this comes about through deep faith in the risen Lord. Faith simply believes not questions how!

It is in view of the aforementioned that the second reading invites us to examine whether or not, as a believing community, we really place our faith in the risen Lord and make the resurrection the true centre of our Christian life. We read in the vision of John the beloved disciple on the Island of Patmos, that he was told “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades” (Rev. 1:18). These words are comforting and should spur us on to trust and obey God with conviction and resolution.

It is pertinent to believe unwaveringly that the mercy of God brings transformation, renewal and restoration. Having received forgiveness for their individual and collective sins leading to the death of Christ, the disciples of Jesus are transformed into courageous and effective witnesses of the resurrection. Their preaching is boldly accompanied by the resurrection power, and those who believed, experienced the same. The fact is that, our faith is not founded on scientific truth but on actively listening to and unflaggingly believing in the word of God (cf. Rom. 10:10-17). Our faith brings us closer to the God of whom the Psalmist sings: “Give praise to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures forever” (Ps. 118:1). This mercy is for one and all – it is all encompassing!

As God’s children, we need to reflect this goodness and mercy of our heavenly Father. We ought to be good and merciful to one another if we are truly risen with Christ. During the Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis, we were exhorted to be merciful like the Father whose very name is Mercy. It is this heart of mercy that was revealed to the Polish nun, Sr. Faustina Maria Kowalska by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord told her that the Sunday after Easter must be dedicated to his Divine Mercy, that his mercy is for all and that if people repent, confess their sins, they would be forgiven. In view of this, in the year 2000, Pope John Paul II declared the second Sunday of Easter as the Solemnity of the Divine Mercy (Divine Mercy Sunday). This is what we celebrate today!

The widening gap between the rich and the poor coupled with the high rate of unemployment, exploitation and marginalisation of people, almost always lead to the emergence of social misfits including delinquents, scammers, armed bandits, kidnappers and violent gangs. The subject of merciful love urges us to voluntarily undertake the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned, sick, homeless, stranger, as well as the doubtful, sorrowful, ignorant and those who have been hurt, all need our care and attention. Christian duty also calls us to pray for the living and to bury the dead. We have received mercy freely. Christian charity demands that, we also should show loving mercy and compassion to others. This is the task of Christianity, a divine command of which the Beatitudes duly embody (cf. Mt.5:1-12/Lk. 6:20-26).

Another aspect of mercy is forgiveness. When we forgive, we share the mercy of God, and this explains why on the day of his resurrection, Jesus commissioned his disciples with these words: “As the father has sent me, even so I send you… If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn. 20:21, 23). Many people feel betrayed, sick, hurt, cheated, ill-treated, unloved, marginalised and frustrated by society. Others are deeply entangled in sin, addiction, infidelity, weakness, loneliness and various bondages. Life[1]long commitments seem laborious, and social injustice enveloped in structural evil has brought pain, misery and sadness to most people. Without mercy, forgiveness is not complete; it is not real, and this makes us hypocrites! Jesus Christ expects us to forgive those who have wronged us.

Additionally, many people seem to have lost the sense of sin and guilt and have become numb to corrupt practices. Economic inequality, racism, poverty and bad governance have destroyed the destinies of many talented individuals and resource-rich countries. Christ needs us to proclaim that he still loves us and that, he forgives sins when we repent sincerely. That we love others is testimonial of our being born again in Christ and this gives us the power to overcome the world. Hence, the love for God and love for neighbours are two sides of the same coin – are inseparable!

Furthermore, the mercy of God overcomes fear and breaks unnecessary boundaries. When Christ appeared to his disciples who had abandoned him, they were terrified because they feared the Jews may kill them just as they killed Jesus. In place of fear, Jesus bestowed peace upon them. He said “Peace be with you” (Jn. 20:19). This he said three times (cf. Jn. 20:19, 21, 26). He also breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn. 20:22). One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is peace (cf. Gal. 5:22). For those in the Middle East, peace, what the Jews call shalom, is not just the absence of trouble, but wholeness, well-being and goodness of God in the life of his people. Thus, spiritually and physically, Jesus wishes us a life of complete wholeness – of inner peace.

Finally, Thomas allowed doubts to separate him from the rest of the community. Due to this, he missed the first appearance of the risen Christ. This is what happens to us when we isolate ourselves from the Christian community. We may miss the blessing and timing of God which in the final analysis can cost us heaven. Be that as it may, Thomas’ character has something to offer us, namely, that our faith must seek understanding (fides quaerens intellectum). We should not pretend that we understand what we do not understand nor believe what we do not believe. The honesty of Thomas to ask questions so as to be certain in his devotion and relationship with God is didactic. No wonder from Thomas, we come to know Jesus vividly as Lord and God (cf. Jn. 20:28). With Thomas’ experience, we who are far from the first-hand encounter with the risen Lord, can really say that our own faith in the resurrection is solidly grounded! Faith in Christ must show in practical ways.

Beloved in Christ, we must learn to believe that the mercy of God is able to make us whole. God’s mercy is boundless, and this should characterise our Christian lives as people who live in fraternal charity. Let us live in love. Let us live in mercy. With Sr. Faustina, let us reaffirm our faith in God as we pray the Divine Mercy prayer: “Jesus, I trust in You.” Happy Divine Mercy Sunday and may God bless us fervently! Remember: #Christ Is Alive and His Mercy Endures Forever#