Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, one of my most favorite days of the year simply because it always brings me to pause when I think of the immense and inconceivable love God has for me.
Our first reading is short and seemingly paints an image of utopia for the Apostles; that perfect setting or perfect community in which everyone “was of one heart and mind” and no one was in need. As I think of this ‘perfection,’ I cannot help but recall how many stories of persecution, imperfection, and struggle we have recently heard in the last 40 days. What do you first think of when reading this? Now that I have endured my own Lenten journey and struggles, I have a strange closeness to this reading. I feel the Easter Blessings have
helped me transform myself again and, well, I can relate to this utopian feeling. Take a moment and reflect on your own Lenten journey. How does this reading speak to you?
Our Psalm recalls over and over to “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love is everlasting.” Most especially on this Divine Mercy Sunday, we recall His inconceivable mercy and love! In His revelation to St. Faustina, He revealed:
“…that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners…On that day are opened all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.” (Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.)
That love is amazing and overwhelming to me. How does reflecting on this and the Psalm make you feel?
This second reading is difficult for me: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him.” Admittedly I needed to look up the definition of begotten. Now I know there is at least one other needing to do the same, so I will save you a Google jaunt:
Begot: 1)To bring (a child) into existence or 2) give rise to; bring about.
Now that I re-read that, I am a bit lost. I am lost in my thoughts of how simple He makes it for me to just trust in Him and love. It is not simple to let go of my own security of seemingly being in control, but the pathway is simple and I am not in control. What do you feel when reading this? In thinking about your Lenten struggles, sacrifices, and abstinence, how have you changed and perhaps let go?
Today’s Gospel has Jesus appearing to the disciples who were in hiding. I can only imagine how scary that time was for them. Their faith was truly put to the test just days before watching Jesus crucified. They did not understand then, but had faith in continuing His teachings after He was gone. Now He appears to them again! The complete and overwhelming joy must have been wonderful; utopian even. Complete and perfect! I can
imagine myself in that room hiding with them and then, He is with us! What do you feel? Have your Lenten preparations lead to magnification of this feeling?
Then Thomas, who was not with them and did not get to experience that state of perfection, is told of His return. He could not believe it, how could he? Thomas is simply of this world and thinking only of this world, but Jesus is not of this world nor constrained by anything of this world. We are not different from Thomas, nor any disciple then. Thomas could not let go of himself to believe completely in Jesus. What do you feel after reading this Gospel? How do the words Jesus spoke to Thomas resonate with you?
“Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Do these readings, Psalm, and Gospel help to transform your faith? How might it help you to let go and have faith over the remaining Easter weeks, and then beyond?
~Ray Martinelli
Reference
Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. The Divine Mercy. 8 April 2021.
webpage.