SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Shalom: peace be with you! This greeting appears three times in today’s Gospel. When Jesus offered his peace to his frightened disciples, he was not just offering a pleasantry; he was offering his mercy. You will recall that the English word “mercy” derives from the Latin word “misericordia.” The second half of that word – “cordia” sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Our English word – “cardiac” – comes from that word, speaking of things pertaining to the heart. But, when we think of heart, besides that vital organ, we think of our emotions. For the people in the ancient Middle East, however, the heart was seen as the deepest seat of a person’s being. And, the first half of the word “misericordia” needs no translation: it means misery or deep sadness. So, when the Risen Lord offered his peace to his first disciples, he was offering, from the depth of his being, his peace to them in their misery.
And, they certainly were in a miserable situation. They were hiding behind locked doors, fearing for their lives. But, Jesus had just overcome death and the power of sin through his rising from the dead. Now he comes in the midst of his followers who were hiding in a room with locked doors out of fear and says: “Peace be with you!”
The disciples certainly recalled when just a few nights before, at the Last Supper, Jesus had comforted them when he said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. …Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Well, they were troubled and afraid; afraid that they, too, would be crucified! It is only as they see the risen Lord and begin to realize the great power he gives them through the hope of the Resurrection that they are able to overcome their fear and begin to teach about Jesus and lead the faithful in praise of God. We hear them doing just that in today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. As we will continue to hear over the next several weeks, those first disciples of Jesus become more and more emboldened to proclaim the Good News that we are all blessed to believe. Through the death and resurrection of our Lord, we all have a new goal in our lives: eternal life with our loving God in heaven! We now have a clear plan for our lives – to prepare ourselves to share in the eternal life our Lord has made possible for us through his death and resurrection. This helps us to overcome any fear or trouble we have in our lives and to live in peace in the midst of a world in turmoil. That brings us true peace, doesn’t it?
Here on earth, we often find ourselves struggling with sin and its effects, especially division, turmoil, sickness or death. We are encouraged by the message we hear in today’s second reading: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” In his great mercy, God accompanies us from the very depths of his being through our trials and distress of this life as we prepare for eternal life. And, so today, we include in our Easter celebration an acknowledgment of the mercy of God that restored our right relationship with him and allowed us entry into heaven. Thus, the Second Sunday of the Easter Octave is also celebrated throughout the Church as Divine Mercy Sunday.
Today’s second reading presents this truth rather powerfully. As we heard a moment ago, the First Letter of Peter speaks of the blessing of God’s mercy that the early Christians experienced in the midst of their trials. Today’s Gospel passage shows God’s mercy in action. Jesus appears to the disciples for the first time after his resurrection. He wishes them peace and then, Jesus breathes on them, giving the strength to become Apostles through the power of the Holy Spirit, even granting them the ability to forgive sins. In this way, he commissions them to take an active role in imparting divine mercy on those they serve in God’s name. And then, we hear the story of Thomas that gives us a living example of divine mercy. Thomas would not believe in the Resurrection unless he saw evidence. Jesus accepts this weakness of faith, and accommodates Thomas’ unbelief. This loving acceptance is an integral part of divine mercy.
Thomas represents us and our various weaknesses. As he did with Thomas, Jesus strengthens us when we have doubts, and raises each of us above our human frailties and, through his mercy, brings us into communion with the Father.
What love this is – what mercy he showers on us! As we contemplate the wonder of such mercy, let us show our gratitude by living as Jesus taught us, loving one another and showing mercy to everyone we encounter each day, embracing them from the depths of our being – from our hearts – and raising them up to our living God. In this way, we will all be instruments of the peace that comes only from God.