Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, which is also the Octave Day of Easter. For the last eight days, we have celebrated the Resurrection of Christ from the dead. An event of such importance that the Church celebrates it over eight full days. Its consequence cannot be overstated. Jesus, who was dead, has been raised to life, and consequently, the possibility and the promise of eternal life given to humanity. Mortality defines the human person’s predicament, but in Christ, the hope of life eternal is presented.
Nonetheless, the joy and hope that fills the season of Easter should not obscure what preceded it. Instead, the exultation and anticipation of eternal life ought to be kindled and grow stronger by the contemplation of the Lord’s passion and death. The main message of the Triduum is that love is proven in suffering. If I say I love, but I’m unwilling to suffer for my loved one, I’m a liar. Therefore, by considering the suffering Christ underwent for our sake, we contemplate His unconditional and infinite love for us.
In today’s Gospel, we encounter the disciples gathered in the evening behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. Jesus comes, stands in their midst and offers them His peace. Then He shows them the wounds in His hands and side as if to say, ‘Behold, the proof my love for you.”
Pause for a second and place yourself in the story here – in the shoes of the disciples. This is the evening on which Jesus rose from the dead. You have heard from Mary Magdalene and the women that they have seen the Risen Lord (Jn. 20:18), but you have not. Yet, it was them, the women, who stayed by Jesus throughout His passion and stood at the foot of His cross when he died (Jn 9:25). You, on the other hand, His disciples, deserted Him and fled when He was arrested (Mt. 26:56).
How many emotions would have mixed and lived in the disciples’ hearts that night as they sat together: Fear of the Jews, despair at Jesus’ death, joy at the possibility of His resurrection, anxiety and worry at what He would say to them who had deserted Him, etc.
All of a sudden, Jesus comes and stands before them. Without losing a beat or waiting for any words on their part, He offers them His peace. Then He shows them His wounds – evidence of His suffering, of His love. Instantly, all emotions vanish except for their joy of meeting their Lord again. But perhaps they begin to feel undeserving of that peace, and a sense of remorse and guilt begins to come back. The Lord reaffirms them again: “Peace be with you.” Only this time, He goes further: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into them and gives them the power to be heralds and emissaries of that Divine Mercy. Almost as if saying, “Forget your guilt. My love and mercy for you is unconditional. You can’t merit it, but having acknowledged your sin, you can cooperate with it by first accepting it for yourselves, and then making it known.”
On this feast of the Divine Mercy of our God, let us dispose of ourselves to receive this fountain of love and mercy that pour out from the Heart of Jesus. In doing so, let us approach the sacrament of confession with the deep humility, contrition and purpose of amendment that are the fruit of understanding the price paid for the remission of our sins. In other words, let us kindle our desire to receive His mercy by contemplating the depths of love manifested by the pierced hands that offer it to us.
Santiago Torres – St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta