Divine Mercy Sunday is the title given to the Second Sunday of Easter. The image of the Divine Mercy is an image of Jesus with rays of light or waves of energy shooting out from his heart.
The message is clear: The mercy of Jesus Christ is for everyone. His mercy and grace and love are really limitless.
The message and season of Easter celebrate this so powerfully in his love from the cross, a love without any limits or conditions.
Pure total love, available to all! What could possibly prevent a person from surrendering without any question to such love and mercy?
The Gospel today reveals the gift of mercy and love given to Thomas. The apostles, except Thomas, were gathered on Easter night and suddenly Jesus stood in their midst. “Peace be with you,” he said.
They were overjoyed. When Thomas joined them later, they burst with joy and excitement as they shared the news of his resurrection. Thomas doubted: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
There you have it!
To be fair, it was a rather incredible testimony. Strong man, Thomas; he wanted and needed something more than some hysterical testimony. After all, everyone had been through a lot since the previous Thursday.
Thomas got his wish. To his credit, he experienced the risen Lord and responded with profound faith: “My Lord and my God.”
He went from zero to 100 instantly.
We have 50 days of Easter until the great feast of Pentecost to experience, to savor, to understand, and open up to these great mysteries and an even greater faith.
To those little corners of doubt and misunderstandings, Jesus himself wishes to speak: “Do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
What better Sunday than this to experience with Thomas: doubting, questioning, seeing, hearing, receiving, believing in the all-loving, all-merciful, Jesus the Christ! Alleluia!
Father Perry D. Leiker is pastor of St. Bernard Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142, Ext. 112; email perry.leiker@gmail.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
