SUNDAY, SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTERTIDE (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY)
Acts 5:12-16 Ps 118: 2-4,22-27 Rv 1: 9-13,17-19 Jn 20: 19-31
RESURRECTION: GOD’S MERCIFUL PLAN FOR HUMANITY
The liturgy of the word invites us to reflect on the ways in which the resurrection shapes our identity as believers and calls us to live as witnesses to God’s saving work in the world. The first reading presents the early Church living in the power of the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaiming the Gospel and performing signs and wonders. We witness the unity and growth of the community, as “more than ever believers were added to the Lord.” The miracles performed through the apostles testify to the ongoing presence of the risen Lord among them. This passage challenges us to consider how we, as the Body of Christ, are called to be instruments of God’s healing and grace in our communities. It reminds us that the Church is not a closed circle but a dynamic, outward-facing community that exists to bring hope and restoration to a broken world.
The second reading presents a vision of the glorified Christ, who stands among the lampstands, which is a symbolism of His presence in the Church. John is overcome with awe and falls at His feet, but the risen Lord reassures him. This vision highlights the sovereignty of Christ over history and His intimate connection with His people. The lampstands represent the Church’s call to be a light in the darkness, guided and sustained by Christ’s presence. Do we recognize His presence in our midst, even in times of trial and uncertainty? Are we willing to be His witnesses, shining His light in a world often overshadowed by fear and despair?
The scene of the Gospel begins with the disciples huddled in fear, locked away from the world. Into this space of fear and uncertainty, Jesus appears, offering them peace and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them. This moment marks the birth of the Church’s mission: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” The disciples are entrusted with the task of proclaiming forgiveness and reconciliation, a mission that flows directly from the resurrection. Thomas, who was absent during this first encounter, represents the struggle of doubt that many experience. His declaration, “Unless I see… I will not believe,” reflects a deeply human desire for tangible proof. Yet, when Jesus appears to Thomas and invites him to touch His wounds, Thomas responds with one of the most profound confessions of faith in Scripture: “My Lord and my God!” The mystery of the Resurrection lies at the heart of Christian faith, serving as the ultimate testament to divine love and the triumph of life over death, and thus becomes the foundation of the hope of all Christians, transforming them into pilgrims of hope.
Today, on the feast of the Divine Mercy, we are reminded that the resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of God’s merciful plan for humanity. In His death and resurrection, Jesus takes upon Himself the sins of the world, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to reconcile humanity with God. The resurrection, therefore, is the definitive act of God’s mercy, demonstrating that no sin is greater than His love and no darkness can overcome His light. It is through the resurrection that the gates of heaven are opened, and the possibility of new life is offered to all who believe.
For us pilgrims of hope, this means that our journey is not one of despair or uncertainty but of confidence in God’s promises. We are called to trust in His mercy, even in the midst of trials and challenges. The simple prayer of St. Faustina Kowalska, “Jesus, I trust in You,” encapsulates the essence of being a pilgrim of hope. It is a declaration that, no matter what we face, we believe in God’s merciful love and His plan for our lives. Furthermore, being pilgrims of hope means that we are not only recipients of God’s mercy but also messengers of it. Just as Jesus sent His disciples into the world to proclaim the Good News (Mt 28:19-20), we are called to share the hope we have received with others. This mission is deeply rooted in the Divine Mercy because it is through acts of mercy – forgiveness, compassion, and love – that we make God’s presence tangible in the world.
Response: Give praise to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy endures forever.
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