(1st Reading, Acts 5:12-16; 2nd Reading, Rev. 1:9-11,12-13,17-19 ; Gospel, John 20:19-31)
Happy Easter! My dear brothers and sisters, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).
THE MERCY OF GOD
The Lord has truly risen Alleluia! We are still glowing in the euphoria of the resurrection of the Lord. The joy of the resurrection strengthens us and keeps us going. Today, we celebrate another wonderful moment of the Easter celebration, the Divine Mercy, and today's Sunday is rightly called the Divine Mercy Sunday. It is important to note that the event of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection is God's manifestation of His Divine Mercy and Love upon humanity, and having a Sunday to celebrate and talk about God's merciful love is gracious.
The first reading (Acts 5:12-16) describes the marvelous works of God, signs, and wonders worked through the ministration of the apostles. Despite Peter's denial and the Apostles' desertion of Jesus Christ, God used them as powerful evangelists, winning hearts for Christ and transforming lives. Also, many who were sick were healed through them, and those disturbed by unclean spirits were all made well. These events demonstrate the extraordinary mercy of God.
The mercy of God is equally shown to us every day of our lives. God continuously offers us great opportunities for His love and mercy. As recipients of this mercy, we are called to be appreciative and thankful to God and be channels of mercy, mindful of the fact that Jesus tells us to do as He has done for us (Jn. 13:15). Also, we should regularly dispose of ourselves for the outpouring of divine mercy by having an attitude of contrition and metanoia.
DISPENSERS OF GOD'S MERCIFUL ACTS
In the Gospel (Jn. 20:19-31), John establishes that the resurrection was a fact. It was a reality that should not be disputed or doubted. The scenario was that the disciples were 'under lock and key' for fear of the Jews, and Jesus came and stood in their midst. He said to them, "Peace be with you," and showed them his hands and his side. This offer of physical evidence by Jesus was to teach us that resurrection is more than a spiritual reality. It is an actual reality, too.
Furthermore, Jesus breathed on His disciples and imparted the Holy Spirit to them. He commissioned them to be dispensers of God's merciful acts and forgiveness by saying to them, "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them and whose sins you retain are retained." We are also called to be dispensers of God's merciful acts like the apostles. We can do this by being channels of God's mercy and forgiving those who trespassed against us, as Jesus taught us in the Lord's prayer.
THOMAS' LESSONS
Significantly, Thomas was absent when Jesus came and stood in the midst of the disciples. He refused to believe in the disciples' testimony that they had seen the Lord. Instead, Thomas insisted, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."
To clear Thomas' doubt, Jesus showed Himself again in the same manner He did previously. But this time, Thomas was there, and Jesus urged him to come and check out the evidence. He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe… Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed" (Jn. 20:27, 29).
Over the years, Thomas's personality and identity have been defined based on his doubt about Christ's resurrection. But everything about Thomas is not his doubt. Interestingly, his reaction upon seeing Jesus was a spontaneous declaration of faith, "My Lord and My God." He became the first apostle to acknowledge Jesus as God after his resurrection.
Thomas's absence became an important teaching tool, and so also did his doubt. It became a teaching tool for Christ, who, anticipating the unborn generations who will believe without seeing, said: "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." This is what I term Thomas' lesson. Let us learn from Thomas and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Our God.
Happy Easter! Always remember that Jesus loves you.