Friends, on this Second Sunday of Easter, Our Mother church celebrates the feast of Divine Mercy. United as a community of believers, we continue to express our joy and faith in the risen Christ. As we celebrate the victory of Christ over death, there is one crucial thing we must remember. This is that we must be united to bear an effective witness to the resurrected Christ as the early Christian community did. Divine Mercy Sunday, offers a unique opportunity to reflect on God’s endless mercy and love. It is a time to deepen our faith, recognize the importance of community, and embrace the peace and forgiveness that come from following Jesus. Lord, thank You for Your mercy and love. Help us to trust in You, share Your forgiveness, and be kind to others. Guide us to be faithful witnesses of Your peace and mercy to our brothers and sisters each day of our lives.
Friends, the first reading of this Sunday from Acts of the Apostles begins with
the motto; of the early Christian community “One heart and one soul.” This summarizes the way the early Christian community lived and testified to the risen Lord; “The apostles continue to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were greatly respected.” Brothers and sisters, one of the best ways to bear testimony to the risen Christ is through unity. Christ himself prayed for it; “Father that they may be one as you and I are one” (John 17:21). Of course, he knew that there would be many challenges to this. He knew that this unity would not rob anyone of his personality. Above all, he knew that this unity was necessary for our success. It is unity in diversity for the progress of His mission. Christ was sure that living in unity was the best testimony we could bear as his disciples. Hence, the early disciple paid attention to this instruction by being united in their mission. They demonstrated this through their preaching and lifestyles.
Friends, today we remember Jesus’ message of peace. When He appeared to the disciples, He said, “Peace be with you.” This peace is a gift from God that can calm our hearts and minds. In our busy lives, we can find peace by turning to Jesus in prayer and trusting in His mercy. This peace helps us to be more loving and forgiving towards others. Forgiveness is another key theme of Divine Mercy Sunday. Jesus gave the apostles the power to forgive sins, showing the importance of mercy. We are encouraged to seek forgiveness for our sins and to forgive those who hurt us. This act of mercy not only heals our relationships but also brings us closer to God. Divine Mercy Sunday is a time to reflect on God’s mercy, the strength of our faith, the support of our community, and the peace and forgiveness we receive from God. It’s a reminder to trust in Jesus, seek His mercy, and be a source of mercy to others. By embracing these lessons, we can grow in our faith and live more fully as Catholics.
Friends, in the Gospel of today, Jesus breathes on His disciples and encourages them to receive the Holy Spirit. This act shows that the Holy Spirit is a gift that empowers us to continue Jesus’ mission of spreading mercy and forgiveness. As followers of Christ, we are called to receive this Spirit and live out the mercy we have received. Our role as Christians is to share God’s mercy with others. This means forgiving others, showing kindness, and being compassionate. We are reminded that just as we have received God’s grace, we should also be channels of that grace to others. It’s our duty to bring this message of mercy to the world, especially to those who are hurting or lost. Living as examples of God’s mercy is a way to bring hope and healing to those around us. By being merciful, we can help others experience God’s love and forgiveness. This is an important part of our faith, and it helps us grow closer to God and each other.
Friends, on Divine Mercy Sunday Year C, we reflect on the incredible gift of God’s mercy through Jesus. We are called to embrace this mercy, share it with others, and live as witnesses of God’s love. By doing so, we continue the mission of Jesus, bringing light and hope to the world. The second Sunday of easter challenges us to live out the mercy we receive from God. By trusting in Jesus, seeking forgiveness, and supporting one another, we can be signs of God’s love in the world. By: Fr. Ben Chola Mccj
