Divine Mercy Sunday
Information about the Divine Mercy ChapletCommentary:
Reading 1 Acts 2:42-47
This selection is the conclusion of St. Luke’s pentecostal narrative. The Holy Spirit as descended upon the people, St. Peter has offered his speech declaring Christ risen and the messianic significance of that event. The people have reacted favorably to his words and we find many have been reached. The description of the early Christian Community in Jerusalem , the first of three summary passages (along with Acts 4:32-37 and Acts 5:12-16), reflects and idyllic communal life style that is focused on the teaching of the twelve Apostles and the Eucharistic liturgy. We note the reference to the continued attendance at the temple indicating that there was no thought of separating the Christian faithful from Judaism.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
Psalm 118 has been in regular use during the Easter season. It is a liturgical song of praise and victory. The messianic imagery is so strong that it has been used for the past three days, reflecting the joy of the Church in the Easter Tide.
Reading II 1 Peter 1:3-9
St. Peter, following the introductory verses, addresses this letter to the churches of Asia Minor. He begins this selection with a prayer, thanking God for the grace given in Baptism (“…gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”). He continues exhorting the community, which is being persecuted, to hold fast to the faith in Christ risen for their salvation.
Gospel John 20:19-31
St. John gives us the picture of the disciples (now Apostles) in hiding immediately following the Lord’s crucifixion. Twice Jesus comes to them once with Thomas absent and then again when he is present.
There are a number of very important elements of this version of the story. First, the Lord’s greeting, “Peace be with you.” While this may have been a simple Shalom, it is more likely intended to emphasize the rejoicing sense of the meeting. Immediately the Lord sends them on their mission, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you." As part of this action we are told the Lord gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to strengthen them and gives them authority to act in his name.
The significance of Thomas’ absence is used as an evangelizing moment. Doubting Thomas is confronted in the second visit by the risen Christ and almost in recompense for his role as disbeliever; he provides the title with which Jesus is understood now as True God as well as True Man – “My Lord and my God.”
The Lord then delivers a beatitude for future generations of Christians; “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
Reflection:
“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
St. Peter reiterates this phrase in his first letter as he says’ “Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” With a gulf of two thousand years between us and Jesus’ active revelatory work, it is important that we see these words and know that God relies on those who follow to carry on the work started in Christ.
Jesus whole purpose in coming was to reveal the Father’s great love and mercy to us. From the very beginning of scripture, starting with Genesis, we were shown a picture of God. First was saw his creating hand and following this how he tried to get his favorite creation to understand. He use the patriarchs; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He tried to show us his mercy but these holy ancestors could not fully understand that there were other forces at work as well. Forces that took advantage of God’s gift of free will to corrupt his intent for humankind.
Next he called Moses to give the Law to the people of God. Although they fought against it, the Law was made known and with it right and wrong. But the people were only clinging to the word - not the spirit. The Law was God’s way of saying that we should love one another as he loved us. But what was understood by the people were the rules.
He sent prophets, great and lesser, Samuel was the first although he was not called a prophet at the time. He was followed by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and all the rest, each trying to convey God’s infinite love and mercy to a “stiff necked” people. What resulted, however, was an even more engrained set of traditions that focused on strict adherence to the Law of Moses
Trying to understand the mind of God is not something we do well and our understanding of his plan for us will never be fully understood. But, this we know, God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son, that who ever believed in him might not die but have life. Although we never knew Jesus the man, we know his purpose - the complete revelation of God. He was God’s love personified, His mercy completed in an act so passionate that the very world was shaken to its foundation.
“Blessed are those who have not seen and believed.” Belief may be professed with words but the truth of that profession is expressed in actions. If we believe in Him, our actions must reflect our belief. If a person is convinced and believes that fire will burn them, they will avoid being burned. If a person believes that medicine will prolong their life and health, they will, without fail, take the prescribed dose. Belief is revealed in actions.
This conclusion constantly challenges us. If we believe in the Risen Lord and the promise his resurrection makes for us, then we must follow what he asked of us. Although it has been said repeatedly, this is summed up with “Love God and love one another.” We see it in the Acts of the Apostles as the early Christian community is described. We feel it in our hearts.
How hard it is to bring this simple promise to reality in life. Yet, if we truly believe, that is what we are called to do. The standard is set. Our season of joy invigorates us to renew our efforts. He is Risen!
Pax
Please pray for Esther.
1 After Links to Readings Expire
2 The picture used today is “The Incredulity of St. Thomas” by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1602-03
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