A Jesuit Catholic University
in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1878

Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) [45] Acts 5:12-16 Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24 Rev 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19 John 20:19-31

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.  (Divine Mercy Chaplet)

Today’s celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday seems a natural continuation from the beauty of Jesus’ Resurrection merely a week ago.  The joy of throwing off our penitential Lenten attitudes and singing “Alleluia!” again will continue for weeks.  However, before we move too far from witnessing Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, it’s important to make the connection between him opening the door to salvation for us sinners and the mercy we can receive now before the end of our lives. 

As I meditated on the Passion of Christ this year, I couldn’t help but wonder in awe at the humility with which Jesus accepts all the cruelty of his crucifixion.  Just when I think that perhaps I can emulate some of his humility, I hear him say, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  Good grief.  What kind of mercy is required for that kind of forgiveness?  I become offended when mistaken for even a third year medical student and I struggle to offer mercy to my noncompliant patients even when their decisions ultimately have no effect on me, personally.  I have so much to learn from Jesus’ mercy.

What parts of my life, decisions I make, or ways that I choose to ignore others make Jesus plead to his Father, “Forgive Sam, for he knows not what he does”?  I can picture my favorite saints and angels imploring me with sorrowful eyes to sin no more.

And yet, today we celebrate a limitless mercy that my limited human mind cannot even fathom.  The beauty of Jesus’ death as Catholics is that we can enjoy the fruits of the sacrifice every time we walk into a confessional.  Therein lies the contrasting image as Scripture tells us that Heaven rejoices every time a sinner repents.  I imagine the anguished faces of those same saints and angels turning to celebration as the priest, in persona Christi, offers me his absolution for my confessed sins.

It’s then, in that state of grace, that I can most appropriately echo Thomas’ words from today’s Gospel.  When the priest raises the host during the Consecration and whenever I genuflect, I repeat the words, “My Lord and my God!”  We should greet him like an old friend, but also with awe and wonder.  Imagine how we would act if Pope Francis himself were to show up at Mass to come visit with us.  Should we not be even more awe-inspired by our Redeemer coming to see us face to face?

With that same attitude of humble awe, let us enjoy the Sacrament of Reconciliation now as we have just observed Jesus’ Passion and are reminded today of his unfathomable mercy.  And when our inadequate human minds struggle with trusting that God can forgive someone as wretched as our sinful selves, let’s envision Jesus telling Thomas and us to come touch him, experience the mercy, and “do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

My Lord and my God, have mercy on me.