The Second Sunday of Easter - Divine Mercy Sunday
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday, we reflect on the mercy Christ shows us each time we make a mistake or choose to do our will over his. In the Gospel of John, we see an example of Christ’s mercy as he shows St. Thomas his hands and his side, and even allows him to place his fingers in them to prove that he is Jesus. Most of us know the story of doubting Thomas, but he wasn’t the only Apostle to have doubts. Many of them were lost and began to have doubts when he died. Even though he told them over and over again, they didn’t understand his plan that he had to die, but then he would rise again.
We read on Easter Sunday that the women who were there when Jesus was laid in the tomb came back to finish what they couldn’t do because of the Sabbath. They expected to find his body on Easter Sunday; instead, they found an empty tomb. Everyone had their own doubts after he died. Jesus, showing compassion and mercy, appeared to each of them, forgiving them for doubting and proving to them that he had risen.
Are there times we can be like St. Thomas? Only believing if it is right in front of us? Do we need to touch it, feel it, and see it to believe it? Jesus said to St. Thomas, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Our faith goes beyond what we can see or feel. We all have doubts at times, and we may stumble and fall, but Jesus loves us and wants to forgive us. We need to acknowledge our faults and bring them to him in reconciliation. He is merciful, no matter what we have done, what thoughts we may have, or what we have said. If we bring them to him, he will forgive us. He also wants us to have mercy and forgive others in the same way he does for us.
May our faith in our merciful and loving Savior, Jesus Christ, continue to grow as we follow his example by loving and forgiving others as he does with us.
Your brother in Christ,
Deacon Manny
