Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Easter)
Embracing the Gift of Divine Mercy
This Sunday, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, a day that reminds us of the incredible love and forgiveness of God. His mercy has no limits, and no matter what we have done, He is always ready to welcome us with open arms, because God Himself says, “I am love”.
This simple yet profound truth—God is love—is the foundation of everything we believe. Mercy flows directly from His love, because love always seeks to heal, restore, and embrace.
God’s Mercy Brings Healing
In the first reading from Acts, we see the apostles performing miracles and healing those who are suffering. People brought the sick and the weak, hoping that even Peter’s shadow would pass over them, believing that they would be healed.
This scene teaches us that mercy is not just an idea—it is something real and powerful. Mercy restores what is broken, and God’s love can heal even the deepest wounds. Just as the people in Acts trusted in God’s power, we too must believe that His mercy can change our lives.
God’s Mercy Gives Us Strength
In the second reading from Revelation, John has a vision of Jesus, who appears in glory and says, “Do not be afraid”. These words are a beautiful reminder that we do not have to live in fear, because God is with us.
Sometimes, life feels overwhelming. Maybe we are struggling with family problems, financial difficulties, or personal failures. We may feel like we are all alone. But God’s mercy means He never abandons us. He is always walking beside us, even in our most difficult moments.
Jesus and Thomas: Mercy for Doubters
In today’s Gospel from John, we see Jesus appearing to His disciples after His resurrection. They had locked themselves in a room, afraid and uncertain about their future. But instead of scolding them for their fear, Jesus says,“Peace be with you”. Then, there is Thomas. He was not there when Jesus appeared, and he refused to believe unless he saw Jesus himself. But instead of being angry with Thomas, Jesus welcomed his doubts. He appeared again and invited Thomas to touch His wounds. Thomas immediately believed, saying, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus’ response to Thomas teaches us that doubt does not push God away. He understands when we struggle to believe, and He invites us to come closer. If we have ever felt distant from God, know this: His mercy is greater than our doubts. He is waiting for us, just as He waited for Thomas.
Mercy in Our Daily Lives
Divine Mercy is not just something we receive—it is something we are called to share. Think about a time when someone hurt us. Maybe they lied to us, disappointed us, or betrayed us. Holding onto anger can feel natural, but it weighs us down. Mercy does not mean forgetting what happened—it means choosing peace over resentment.
I remember a time when I struggled to forgive someone who had hurt me. I kept replaying their actions in my mind, feeling frustrated. But then, I thought about how many times God had forgiven me when I messed up. That realisation changed my heart. If God’s mercy is unlimited, shouldn’t I also show mercy to others? Forgiving someone does not mean saying that their actions were okay. It means choosing love instead of hate. It means allowing healing to begin.
The message of Divine Mercy Sunday is simple: God loves us beyond measure, and He asks us to do the same for others. Mercy brings healing. Mercy gives us strength. Mercy helps us to live with peace and love.
Today, as we reflect on the boundless mercy of Jesus, let us open our hearts to receive His love, and let us become messengers of that love in the world. May we go forth with hearts full of mercy, ready to embrace others with the kindness that God so freely gives.
Amen.
IMAGE: Divine Mercy image, Shutterstock.