Divine Mercy Sunday, Saint Thomas Sunday,Whit Sunday

Divine Mercy Image of Jesus

In the West, the Sunday after Easter has been designated "Divine Mercy Sunday." In the East, it is called Saint Thomas Sunday. And for those old enough to remember, it had been called “Whit Sunday." This older title associated today with the Christian Initiation Rites of Holy Saturday. The newer name associates today with on-going conversion effected by the sacrament of penance. Through Baptism, we are called to newness of life in Christ. Through Penance we are enabled to reaffirm our union with Christ after personal sin and weaknesses have weakened that bond. Before proceeding, it might be helpful to recall Jesus’ comment to Peter at the Last Supper: "Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers" (Lk. 22:31-32). The mystery of divine love is that the Lord does not abandon us if we fall. It is at these moments that He prays for us and grants us the grace to turn back. In Christ, God stretches out a loving hand and if we grasp it, we can be forgiven and reconciled with the Body of Christ.

Through the mystery of the Incarnation Jesus (like the prodigal son) wandered far from His heavenly home to search out and find those who had strayed from the path of righteousness. Not only did He look for the lost, but he also befriended them. Not only did He befriend them, but He also was numbered among them. He identified with the lost so totally that He was condemned to the shameful death of crucifixion. It was by being lifted up on the cross that He conquered sin and death for ever. After the Resurrectionl, Jesus tells His disciples “As the Father has sent Me, so I also send you.” Jesus commissioned His followers to share with all the members of the human race the good news that all can be enjoy the newness of life that the resurrection brings.

Modern society has lost its moral compass. For this reason, people are confused about life and values. Because our value system is disordered, we have become blind and deaf to the needs of the poor and marginalized. People have become like the people of Nineveh, not knowing their left hand from their right (CF. Jon 4:11). Whether we like it or not, this is the world into which the Risen Lord has sent us. He has sent us into this confused and conflicted world, not to condemn it but to bring it peace, pardon, righteousness and reconciliation. We are called to be ministers of Light and Life, inviting people to enter into communion with the Bread of Life and the Living Word. This communion in the Body of Christ requires a public demonstration of fidelity to the Risen Lord. As Christ came out of the tomb, believers must come out of hiding. As Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, believers must speak the Gospel of Life in a culture trapped in death. As Jesus showed the apostles His wounds, believers must be willing to endure persecution so as to make manifest Christ's victory over sin and death.

Christ rose from the dead to show the victory of mercy over condemnation. Christ stands in our midst today as a sign of the Father's love. God so loved the world that He allowed His Beloved Son to be rejected as a sinner so that we sinners might come to know election as the children of God. The First Letter of Peter states it well. "Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable joy that has been touched with glory, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." The boundless mercy that God offers us in Christ is the cause of our joy. In a world that condemns us for being confused and irresponsible, God offers forgiveness and re-creation. God offers us newness of life in Christ. In the resurrection of Christ, God is glorified because the glory of God consists in the renewal of all creation in the Son. God made us “to be His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace,”(Eph. 1:5-6) for as St Irenaeus states; “the glory of God is man fully alive; moreover man’s life is the vision of god: if God’s revelation through creation has already obtained life for all the beings that dwell on earth, how much more will the Word’s manifestation of the Father obtain life for those who see God.”

The glory of God is man fully alive and free from the bondage of sin. By the power of the resurrection, Christ has given each and every one of us grace to repent of our sins and to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (CF. Mat. 5:48). The celebration of Divine Mercy is very closely related to the reception of the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. I found this reflection of Fr. Pat Malone, S.J. of Creighton University rather helpful. “The sacrament of Reconciliation is not to wipe away our faults. It is to make us more loving . . . It is to show we believe that the wrongs we have done can bury us in shame, but we choose another option; they will make us more honest to ourselves and more humble to those around us.” No one need die in their sin. Everyone is given the chance to start afresh in Christ. Forgiveness is given to us freely for the asking. That which we have received as a gift we should give as a gift, also.

Jesus guides Thomas as he puts his finger into the side of the risen Christ.

The author of Genesis tells us that it was on the first day of creation that God called forth light to give meaning and form to the cosmic chaos. Similarly, it was on the first day of the re-creation that Christ shined the light of life on people who dwelt in the land of darkness and gloom. Discouraged and disillusioned by the death of the Master, Thomas chose to separate himself from the community of the apostles. Having been confined to the domain of death, Jesus understood the apostle's darkness and doubt. Jesus was willing to accommodate Himself to Thomas rather than leave him in his doubt and confusion. As a sojourner and companion on the journey, Jesus addressed Thomas by name and spoke to him man-to-man. He who had been ridiculed by sinners spoke honestly and lovingly to this wayward disciple. This humble recognition of his sin allowed Thomas to find himself in the sacred wounds of Christ. Soon we shall enter into a most sacred encounter with the risen Lord. As we gaze upon the body and blood of Christ, it is my prayer that each of us discover our true selves in His sacred wounds.

--Father Jerome Machar, OSCO