Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this Second Sunday of Easter, we gather to celebrate the profound feast of Divine Mercy Sunday. This day invites us to reflect on the boundless mercy of our God, who reached out to us through his Incarnation, Passion, Death and Resurrection. In our brokenness and doubt, just as He did with His apostles and the world around Him, he works within our souls and hearts to save us.
Our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles reminds us of the incredible power bestowed upon the apostles. They were vessels of God's mercy, performing signs and wonders that brought healing and hope to countless souls. Imagine the sight of the sick being laid in the streets, hoping that even the shadow of Peter might fall upon them. This image speaks volumes about how God uses his chosen ones, his apostles, popes, bishops, and priests to heal his people. The apostles were not ordinary men in that they were chosen by Christ for a special mission, which he assured them of, after he rose from the dead. If you have some time, try to imagine what direction the life of each apostle would have taken had Jesus not risen from the dead. We might, at best, end up with a religion that exists solely upon symbolic principles, and not because of hard, historical facts which gave flesh to those beautiful symbols of love, mercy, eternal peace with God, who creates, accompanies, redeems… etc. The resurrection makes our faith real as it did theirs.
Jesus’ patience with them, and with us, is mercy. Jesus’ forgiveness, is mercy. Jesus’ appointing men to look after his people, until he returns in glory, is mercy. As we delve deeper into the theme of mercy, I am reminded of Saint Faustina Kowalska, whose life exemplified living in the light of this divine mercy. Sister Faustina encountered the Lord in profound ways, receiving revelations of His mercy that she shared with the world. One poignant story from her life tells of how she was instructed to share the message of mercy, particularly with those who were in despair. She vividly felt the weight of the world’s suffering, yet she remained hopeful, because she had experienced firsthand the mercy of Christ. In her Diary, Saint Faustina recorded Jesus’ words to her during one of his apparitions, “The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy.” Our Lord waits for us in the confessional. He will deny no one who comes to him truly contrite and wishing to amend their lives. So let us avail ourselves of this powerful haven of God’s mercy.
In the Gospel of John, we encounter Thomas, who is often dubbed the ‘Doubter’ for his reluctance to believe without physical proof of the Resurrection what the others had reported to him. Yet, how mercifully does our Lord respond to his doubts! Instead of admonishing Thomas for his lack of faith, Jesus comes specifically for him, saying, “Put your finger here… and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” In this moment, we see the heart of our Saviour—He meets Thomas in his doubt with compassion and understanding. Jesus provides the evidence Thomas needs not to reprimand him but to draw him closer to faith. It’s a beautiful reminder that mercy is not just for the righteous, but it is especially for those who waver, who struggle, and who seek. When someone asks of us a proof for our faith, we must take the time, like Jesus, to eventually, if not immediately, provide that proof. As Saint Peter once put it: “..sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear” 1 Peter 3:15.
As we reflect upon all this, it is fitting that yesterday we laid to rest Pope Francis, who, throughout his life, emphatically shined a spotlight on mercy. Ultimately however, mercy is a multifaceted concept that can encompass both compassion and the need for guidance. Those of us, and I number myself among you, who
found it difficult or even impossible to reconcile a number of Pope Francis's decisions and actions and most of all, the ambiguities, with his call for mercy might consider his broader and clearer messages of love, understanding, and social consciousness, even if we continue to be uncompromising when it comes to the implications of some of those ambiguities, all in the spirit of mercy to which this feast calls us.
As we pray that the Lord provide us with the next Successor to Saint Peter, may we hope for one who mirrors Christ’s mercy, deeply rooted in an authentic love for God and for all that is good and holy, truly to the exclusion of no one, championing all that is contained within the faith handed down to us from the apostles, without compromise, without shame, without ambiguity. Our faith is beautiful and our Lord’s words, deep, profound, clear and to the point, even when he speaks in parables. Our Lord, in his mercy and patience, eventually clarified any vagueness or misinterpretation of whatever teaching he was trying to define. This is why we too, need to be patient with those who have not yet fully embraced the faith in all of its richness.
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, let us heed the call to be conduits of Christ’s mercy in our own lives as was Saint Faustina. There are countless opportunities each day for us to heal, to uplift, and to forgive. We are challenged not merely to receive mercy, but to extend it to others.
And we conclude with the words of the psalmist: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love is everlasting.” Let us cherish the gift of mercy we have received and be willing to share it with everyone we encounter, participating actively in the divine mission of healing a wounded world. And if you are still struggling, harbouring some kind of anger or regret or sadness when it comes to the Late Holy Father – we need to try to let it go. Forgive, be merciful, and ask God for the grace to move forward with the aid of all the angels and saints. I hear you. I see you. I feel you.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithfully departed, rest in peace. Amen.
Our Lady, Queen of Mercy, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
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