April 19, 2020
2nd Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy
On the evening of the first day of the week, after the death and crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples shelter together behind locked doors. Two are absent. Judas betrayed Jesus and presumably has taken his life. Thomas, the Twin, is missing. Into this quarantine of “social distancingâ€, Jesus appears, greets the huddled ones with peace, breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, presumably without a mask, and commission them to leave their enclosure and embark upon a ministry of forgiveness. When they tell Thomas, he refuses to believe. To him it is delusion. The following week, Jesus appears again and Thomas is with them. Jesus invites Thomas to see and touch his wounds. In response, Thomas, the doubter, makes a profound confession of faith: “My Lord and my God.†The encounter between Jesus and Thomas, occasions a last beatitude: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.â€
Although, we are tempted to close-in on ourselves, we learn soon enough that we cannot keep “the world†at arm’s length and isolate ourselves totally from others. We may also doubt how God can allow such suffering and ask where God is at this time of testing. God is with us amid the fear, struggle and uncertainty. In the Acts of the Apostles, we hear of the community connecting on a personal level and fostering meaningful relationships that glorify God. “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.†These gestures of self-sacrifice can inspire us to help those who are most vulnerable in society. God’s presence is apparent in the way we care for others.
At Mass today, Sunday of Divine Mercy, we sing with the psalmist: “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting.†In our second reading, a letter, Saint Peter writes: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…†Saint Peter acknowledges that we will “suffer through various trials†and still “rejoice with indescribable and glorious joy…†Jamie Waters, Professor of Catholic Studies, in The Word, America, Jesuit Review, p. 54, reflects: “Although it is difficult to rejoice while many suffer physical, mental, social and financial hardships, we should remain faithful and pray for relief. Prayer connects us as a community of faith during periods of crisis.â€
“Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.†– Chaplet Divine Mercy
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