SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER A/ DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
SHOW YOUR MERCY THROUGH PEACE
JN 20: 19-31
MESSAGE
The past months have been particularly difficult for us all, not only in our corner of the world, but indeed, all over the planet. Wars started, political issues escalated, economic worries followed. The confusion outside of us affected us deep within as well.
In the middle of it all, grace still enters our world, blessings continue to flow, favors fall down from heaven. Christ is Risen and no amount of worldly obstacles can hinder the goodness and the power of God. Just as when the first disciples’ lives crumbled and they cowered in fear, the Lord emerged triumphant in the tomb and told them that victory is his, not the world’s.
The special gift of the Resurrection is peace. See how the Lord repeatedly greets us today with peace, as he did to his trembling apostles. In the midst of uncertainty, in the midst of chaos, we feel his mercy ever present through his peace. The merciful God bestows the much needed blessing of peace on his beloved children.
Peace is not the absence of war or conflict but the presence of God who calls us to trust and confidence in his love. How wonderful must the apostles have felt when fear was replaced by peace because of the Risen Christ in their midst.
REFLECT
What destroys your peace of mind and heart today? What disturbs your soul? Look to Jesus Risen from the dead and believe in his mercy. Ask him to grant you peace… ask him to make you an instrument of peace and love to all around you. He is Risen! Peace will reign!
(let us keep praying for peace in the world… the end of all wars… the reconciliation of all God’s children… the end to every crisis in society and in the world… JESUS, KING OF MERCY, HEAR OUR PRAYER. AMEN.)
