Gospel Reading for April 27, 2025 – John 20: 19-31
MASTER OF MERCY
Divine Mercy Sunday
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
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How many of us would have acted like Jesus when he met the disciples for the first time after his death? Perhaps, we would have reprimanded them for running away when we needed them most. Perhaps, we would have reprimanded them for losing their faith in us, who witnessed the many miracles we performed. How many of us would have just said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Perhaps, we would have second thoughts about sending them in our name. They were unworthy.
But then again, this is JESUS, Son of God, who does not keep grudges against us despite the many times we failed him. Who continues to call us despite our unworthiness. And with his disciples, who gravely sinned against him, he even gave authority to forgive and retain sins.
Yes, when we honestly look at ourselves, no one is worthy of the call we are given at Baptism, to be prophets, priests and kings. Somehow, all of us fall short of the calling. And yet, WE ARE CALLED. What’s most important is that we strive and do our best to be worthy of the calling, to be faithful to the teachings of Jesus, by always seeking help from the Holy Spirit.
Truly, Jesus is the MASTER OF MERCY.
Send us your Spirit, Lord, especially when times get rough!
