April 11, 2021

Divine Mercy Sunday

Jn 20: 19-31 

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Jesus did not give up on the world

The disciples were hunkered down behind a locked door.  A few days earlier, the Jewish council had arrested Jesus, condemned him of blasphemy, and turned him over to the Romans to be executed.  Now, Jewish officials were on the lookout for any of Jesus’ followers. 

Suddenly Jesus appeared in the middle of the locked room, greeted the disciples, and gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus had not given up on the world, and the work of the disciples was far from over.

At times we might be inclined to hunker down like the disciples.  The world is such a mess!  We keep a low profile and try to avoid difficulties and conflicts.  Jesus reminds us that God has not given up on the world.  We should not give up either.  Jesus needs us and assures us that we do not need to be afraid.

—Fr. Dan Daly, SJ, is the treasurer of the U.S. Central and Southern Province of Jesuits and creator of the YouTube channel Bible Character Sampler. 

Prayer

Loving God, thank you for your constant care for us and for the entire world.  May your Kingdom continue to grow.  Please continue to draw us into companionship with your Son, Jesus, and help us to respond generously in following him. Amen.

—Fr. Dan Daly, SJ