II Sunday Easter:[A]:Divine Mercy: Acts2:42-47,I Peter1:3-9, Jn 20:19-3

II Sunday Easter:[A]:Divine Mercy: Acts2:42-47,I Peter1:3-9, Jn 20:19-3

Introduction:  The Sunday after Easter always presents the event that took place in the Upper Room one week after Jesus rose from the dead. Pope John Paul II also designated this Sunday as Divine Mercy Sunday. And today the world celebrated the Canonization of this pope whom so many refer to as John Paul the Great.

Exegesis:   There are times that we have doubts in our faith. The Gospel tells the story of someone who doubted Jesus, the story of doubting Thomas. I am sure that he doubted Peter and the others who had said that they had seen the Lord. These are the same guys who only a few months earlier were squabbling with each other over who would be the most powerful in the Kingdom of God. Jesus had told them that they would be tested, but with the exception of John, they had all deserted the Lord, including Thomas, who in his own daring had said earlier, let’s go and die with him. The fact the Thomas was nowhere to be found at the crucifixion must have left him with some pretty negative feelings about himself. And what was probably most devastating to Thomas is that for the first time, he questioned his belief in Jesus. So Thomas was vocal in his doubts. He doubted the other disciples. He doubted himself. And he doubted the Lord. This obviously changed when he saw the Lord.

Pictures will often show Thomas putting his hands in the marks of the nails on Jesus’ hands and touching the Lord’s side, but actually Jesus only invites Thomas to do this. Thomas’ response to Jesus was “My Lord and My God”.  Jesus’ next comment was meant for us. “You believe because you have seen. Blessed are those who have not seen yet believed”.

         

We have doubts in our faith. That is part of being a human being. Faith asks us to take a step, a leap actually, away from all that we can see, hear and sense, a step away from the limits of our rational capabilities and a step into mystery.  And God, in His Mercy, sees us for whom we are, human beings with doubts, but also people who have experienced His Love and want more of it. We might feel bad about ourselves for having doubts, but His Mercy, His Divine Mercy, is so great that He sees us not as people with doubts, but as people who are searching for Him. Thus Divine Mercy Sunday fits so perfectly with the gospel of doubting Thomas, ordinary people like you and I called to have extraordinary faith. 

Joke:   A priest was forced by a police officer to pull over for speeding.  As the officer was about to write the ticket, the priest said to him, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."  The police officer handed the priest the ticket, and said, "Go, and sin no more." ………

At another time a police officer stopped me and came to me, looked at me and said, “Father…., Slow down, slow down, You can’t afford a ticket.”   

Practical Applications:: 1) Ardent faith in Jesus, who will not exclude me from his visibility and mercy, is the key that leads St. Thomas to doubt. Doubt may not be in the resurrection of Jesus, but on saying that he is excluded.  Such an ardent faith is what we needed.

2) One way the Church celebrates God’s mercy throughout the year is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Finding time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is another good way to receive and give thanks for Divine Mercy.  It is mainly through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy that we practice mercy in our daily lives and become eligible for God’s merciful judgment. 

3)  Living faith enables us to see the risen Lord in everyone and gives us the willingness to render to each one our loving service.  Let us ask God for the Faith that culminates in self-surrender to God and leads us to serve those we encounter with love. 

Introduction: Second Sunday of Easter: Divine Mercy Sunday

Message: Thomas believed because he saw the risen Jesus. Although we have never seen him, we believe in him.  We give thanks to the Lord for this gift of faith, especially when we gather for the breaking of the bread and the prayers.

Saints and Events in this Week: 28-Twenty Eighth- Monday - St. Peter Chanel, priest, martyr; Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, priest; 29-Twenty Nine-Tuesday-Saint Catherine of Siena, virgin, doctor of the Church; 30-Thirtyieth-Wednesday-Saint Pius V, pope; May First-Thursday-Saint Joseph the Worker; 2-Second-Friday-Saint Athanasius, bishop, doctor of the Church; 3-Third-Saturday-Saints Philips and James, Apostles;