Sunday of Divine Mercy - Cycle B

Readings: Acts 4:32-35, Psalm118 “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting”, 1  John 5:1-6, John 20:19-31
 
My dear brothers and sisters, on this Second Sunday of Easter, the church celebrates the Sunday of Divine Mercy. The first reading and the gospel remind us of the importance of the community. We read in the first reading that “the community of believers was of one heart and mind and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.” A community founded on these principles did not go unnoticed and they were accorded great respect. This community was built on Christ, the risen Lord. The author of Acts wants to teach us how an authentic Christian community, led by faith in the Risen Lord should live.

In the gospel, the meeting of the Risen Lord is always on “the day of the Lord,” Sunday. The Lord begins his greetings with the words: “Peace be with you”. What gathering of disciples is John referring to? It was the weekly meetings held by all Christian communities, that Jesus shows himself alive to his disciples. Whoever is not there will not hear the words of the Risen Lord, nor receive his peace, sample his joy or receive his Spirit. We experience this presence in the Risen Lord in our community assemblies. Where Jesus waits for us every week. What about the behavior of Thomas?
Did he go wrong? He believed because they saw the Lord. All Thomas wanted was to see him too. Thomas is the symbol of those difficulties to be encountered by others before they believe in the resurrection of Christ. Being in the community helps a lot in this discovery. In the community we find support.

On this Sunday of the Divine Mercy, we are reminded to feel part of the community of the Risen Lord and to lead others in encountering the Risen Lord. We can do that by being messengers of mercy: words and actions. Forgiving one another, praying for one another and trusting in the Lord. Jesus, I trust in you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Fr. Paschal Chester, svd