C: 2nd Sun of Easter (28 Apr 2019) - MERCY BEGETS FAITH - Jn 20:19-31

Today is the so-called “Divine Mercy Sunday” as declared by St. John Paul II in 2000. He hinges his pronouncement to the message of mercy given by Jesus to St. Faustina Kowalska of Poland. On her canonization in April 30, 2000, the pope preached:

“It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church will be called ‘Divine Mercy Sunday.’ In the various readings, the liturgy seems to indicate the path of mercy which, while re-establishing the relationship of each person with God, also creates new relations of fraternal solidarity among human beings.”

However, we begin to question the connection of the message of mercy to our gospel today when it is all about the doubt and faith of Thomas on Jesus’ resurrected appearance to the disciples. Most of us used to conclude that the conversion of Thomas in the story happened only after he physically touched Jesus’ wounded body since he had said earlier, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” (Jn 20:25). However, our biblical text did not specify that he actually did it. Rather, without any suggestion of fulfilling his proviso, he immediately uttered, “My Lord and my God” as soon as he saw and heard Jesus talk to him in person (v. 28). Jesus also affirmed that what Thomas actually experienced is only a sight of him, not a touch (v. 29).

In short, we may say that it is Jesus’ mere personal compassionate look and speech to the doubting Thomas that turned the latter to have an instant faith in him. Accordingly, his first message to Thomas and the rest of his companions is “Peace be with you!” (v. 26). Instead of being angry at the disciples for having abandoned him during his lonely death on the cross, Jesus extended the message of mercy and forgiveness to each one of them. This merciful act of Jesus fatefully won back his disciples’ confidence in him. Truly, mercy begets faith.

Jesus was never wrong for doing this. Subsequently, his offer of mercy to his disciples is translated into their concrete actions of mercy toward others. In the first reading, Peter and the apostles continued Jesus’ ministry of healing the sick and those with unclean spirits (Acts 5:15-16). They went about wandering through cities, not only preaching the gospel, but showing compassion to those in need. They are extending to others the mercy that they had initially received from Jesus.

This is precisely the point of St. John Paul II in designating the second Sunday of Easter as the Divine Mercy Sunday… Jesus’ mercy to all of us is overflowing and overwhelming, moving us all to believe in him and pay this mercy forward to others. Appropriately, the pope continued his sermon with these words:

“Christ has taught us that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but is also called to practise mercy towards others: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.’ He also showed us the many paths of mercy, which not only forgives sins but reaches out to all human needs. Jesus bent over every kind of human poverty, material and spiritual.”

In our present societal context of selfishness, individualism and self-independence, may we learn to be ambassadors of mercy to others, animating hardened hearts to open their clenched hands and offer them to those in need. Indeed, all of us at one point or another received God’s mercy. Our very breath is its first manifestation. May everyday then be a day of Divine Mercy.

- Rex Fortes, CM