EASTER 2ND SUNDAY “C” – DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
1st Reading = Acts of the Apostles 5:12-16
Responsorial Psalm = Psalm 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24
2nd Reading = Revelation 1: 9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
Gospel = John 20: 19-31
PEARL: MERCY ACTS
Jubilee Year of Mercy:
As you may know December 8, 2015 opened the Jubilee Year of Mercy, promulgated by Pope Francis.
In his letter to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New
Evangelization, the Pope expressed what he hoped the Jubilee Year will accomplish: “To enable the celebration
of the Holy Year to be for all believers a true moment of encounter with the mercy of God. To be a living
experience of the closeness of the Father, whose tenderness is almost tangible, so that the faith of every believer
may be strengthened and thus testimony to it be ever more effective.”
Notice some of Francis’s key words and phrases in this short introduction: “a true moment of encounter with
God,” “a living experience,” faith strengthened and testimony effective.” The obvious intent here is more than a
passive exercise of intellect, he is challenging all of us to have and then witness a living encounter with the
living God.
In declaring this Year of Mercy there is no doubt Pope Francis was influenced by the vibrant legacy of Pope
Saint John Paul II – the “Mercy Pope.”
Opening Reflection: Story - (The Mercy Pope):
On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II declared the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday.
The Pope died April 2, 2005 on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, on May 1, 2011, Divine Mercy Sunday, the
Church celebrated his beatification, and on April 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday, canonized John Paul II a
Saint. Acts of mercy were so central to his pontificate that he was known as “the mercy pope.”
One story is told of a priest from America who while visiting Rome encountered a disheveled, underfed
beggar outside a church, and to his amazement discovered the beggar was a former seminary classmate
ordained a priest one year before him. That afternoon, at a Papal audience, the priest stood in a receiving line,
and taking John Paul II’s hand told him about the beggar he’d met and whispered, “Please, pray for this man, he
is lost.” The next day, the priest got a call from the Pope’s Secretary inviting him and the beggar-priest to a
dinner hosted by the pope. He went back to the church, found the beggar, and told him of the pope’s invitation,
but, citing his unworthiness, the man refused to go. The priest insisted he come and took him to his room where
he was able to shower, shave and put on some clean clothes. At the dinner, just before desert, the Pope asked
everyone else to leave the dining room, so he could be alone with the beggar-priest. After about 15 minutes he
invited the guests back in and shortly afterward the party ended.
Later, the American priest, bursting with curiosity, asked the beggar, “What happened in there?” The
beggar-priest replied, “He asked me to hear his confession, and before I could protest he began, ‘Bless me
Father…’ When they were done, the pope told him to return to the Church where he had been begging, report
to the pastor, and serve as a priest there, with a special ministry to the poor of Rome.
The “mercy pope” went beyond praying for the beggar priest, he restored lost dignity, renewed hope and
instilled purpose, much the same as Jesus did for his fearful disciples hiding in a room somewhere in Jerusalem
(John 20: 19-31 – today’s Gospel.
Mercy Despite Trials:
Our first reading offers a snapshot of some of the works of mercy practiced by the first century Church.
But there is more to what we just heard proclaimed. That signs and wonders happening in the name of Jesus,
believers were bound together in Jesus’ love and people held them in high esteem; that residents of Jerusalem
and surrounding areas came to be touched and healed, is all good news - but it gets better when we view this
reading, as we should with every scripture passage, within the context of what is happening in the whole book
(of Acts) and the entire Bible.
Not only does the next verse (Acts 5: 17 ff) tell of the persecution the apostles suffered but the entire
book is very clear about the trials, torments and setbacks that tried to derail the apostolic mission. The key point
here is, despite the obstacles, the apostles ministered to those in need. They preached the good news of salvation
through Jesus Christ, feed the poor, took in the marginalized, and treated all as worthy of God’s love and saving
power.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 699) references this reading to explain that the apostles
were simply doing what they saw Jesus do – what a unique idea. As Jesus healed the sick and blessed little
children by laying hands on them, in his name the apostles did the same. We, too, are called to share in the
ministry and miracles of Jesus but not without sharing in his trials and sufferings. The challenge for us as it was
for Jesus’ apostles is to not allow life’s setbacks discourage or prevent us from demonstrating love and mercy to
everyone we meet as we help them encounter the living God.
Mercy Trumps Transgression:
Today’s gospel opens with a dramatic account of Jesus’ disciples locked in a room, fearing the soldiers
who killed the Lord might come for them next. Even though the twelve knew his promise to rise from the dead,
the reality of seeing Jesus arrested and crucified was too much for them to bear. Peter wept bitterly after
denying he knew the Lord (Luke 22:42) and all but John, who was with Mary, Jesus’ mother, at the foot of the
cross during the crucifixion, must have felt guilt and shame for abandoning the Lord in his greatest hour of
need. Just when these chosen apostles were at their lowest, when life looked hopeless and darkness was
reaching its peak, the resurrected Jesus appeared to them in person. Not to rant, belittle or punish, but offer
peace, healing and forgiveness. Not to even a score, but strengthen faith, transform lives and reveal God’s love.
Not to stifle with reminders of past failures, but empower with hope, promise, and victory, transforming sadness
and doubt to joy and assurance, and restoring their mission with the words, “Peace be with you…as the Father
has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21).
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every
morning” (Lamentations 3:22).
What You Were Meant to Be:
How can you and I habitually practice Jesus’ love and mercy? Most of us are so overly focused on self
that we fail to see the deeper needs of others. What if we simplified our lives, found contentment in basic
personal needs, and refocused more time and talent on doing all in our power to improve the well-being of
someone else? People need you to pray for them, but don’t just promise you will pray and walk away. Take the
persons hands in yours and pray on the spot specifically for the Lord’s intervention into their lives – for healing,
forgiveness or whatever their need.
Center more on forgiveness than fault, on mercy more than criticism, on love and compassion more than
finger-pointing, on doing more than your share rather than minimal effort, on offering hope, joy and
encouragement rather than negativity, gloom and a dim view.
Like Jesus’ disciples, you and I are imperfect, yet we are called from what we are not, to become what
we were meant to be. Strengthened by the prayers, readings, and Eucharist of this Mass, perhaps you can be
known as the “mercy person” for at least the remainder of this Jubilee Year. Saint John Paul II is our model.
Study his life, imitate his deeds and pray for his intercession.
Closing Comments and Questions:
1. How has God shown you divine mercy either directly or through someone? What was your
response?
2. The Apostles performed many signs and wonders (Acts 5: 12-16). What “signs” are you
performing because of your faith in Jesus?
3. Look around your home, someone there needs more of your time, acts of mercy, and love.
4. Read today’s Scripture readings prayerfully and reflectively select some acts of mercy
indicated or implied – put them into practice.