Sunday of Divine Mercy
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April 22, 2022April 24, 2022
Sunday of Divine Mercy
Acts 5:12-16
Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
Jn 20:19-31
GROW: In today’s Gospel, Thomas gets singled out as the one who doubts that Jesus had risen from the dead. But the other Gospels reveal that the other disciples doubted too. I understand why they had trouble believing that Jesus was alive. To think that God loves us enough that he chose to become human to die for our sins is incomprehensible. To accept that he loves us this deeply is almost unbearable. It seems doubtful anyone can love us that much. It seems doubtful that we deserve to be loved that much. It is much easier to doubt than to believe. But Thomas was the first to publicly proclaim the man Jesus as also God: My Lord and my God! he says. The risen Jesus had come into the room, although the doors were locked, and called them back into belief. Through Christ, God shows the disciples – and us – the extent of his love and mercy. We are worth it, even when we doubt, even when we fail. His death and resurrection are testament to that. He will walk through whatever walls exist to tell us. No doubt about it.
GO: The reading from the Acts of the Apostles today describes the reaction to the apostles’ joyful and confident proclamation that Jesus was Lord and God after receiving the Holy Spirit. The crowds drew near just to have Peter’s shadow fall upon those who were sick. God’s mercy has no bounds. How can we be like the first disciples? In what ways do our lives reflect God’s mercy on us? Where can our own “shadows fall” so that God’s goodness and grace can bring healing and comfort to others? Let us begin our days by giving “thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting,” and trust that the Holy Spirit will both remind us of our blessings and continued need for mercy, and guide us to encounters with others who need the same.
PRAY: During this Easter season, read a passage from the Acts of the Apostles each day and immerse yourself in the history of the early Church. End your time of reflection by praying the Apostles’ Creed, the statement of beliefs of Christians in the first centuries after Jesus’ death and resurrection
