HOMILY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER (DIVINE MERCY)

HOMILY FOR THE 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER (DIVINE MERCY) — YEAR C

HOMILY THEME: FAITH IN GOD MAKES US PARTAKERS OF GOD’S MERCY

BY: Fr. Isaac Awe

Acts 5:12-16, Rev. 1:9-13, 17-19, John 20:1-9

Occasions do come in our lives when we face grief, or disappointment, or pain, or depression or disgust at what is going on in the world. Sometimes our faith -hold on God also falters . When these moments of true and deep doubt come, let us think about the lord’s admonition: Stop doubting, start believing. Like St Thomas the Apostle, we are called to overcome our doubts , believe in the resurrection and put the gospel into practice in our lives.

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What do we know about Thomas? It is interesting to learn that in the first three gospels we are told absolutely nothing at all about Thomas. It’s in John’s Gospel that he emerges as a distinct personality, but even then there are only 155 words about him.

On the night Jesus was arrested, most of his disciples ran and deserted him. Thomas was no exception. He ran away and Jesus died. Thomas does not go back to be with the other disciples right away after Jesus’ death. The result is that Thomas loses out on the fellowship of the apostles and he does not see Jesus on the first Easter. John is suggesting to us that Christ appears most often within the community of believers, and when we separate ourselves from the Church we take a chance at missing his unique presence.

What can we learn from the life of Thomas?

Jesus did not blame or castigate Thomas for doubting: Authentic faith begins with intellectual honesty, and doubt is the bedrock of honesty. Also, faith is not the absence of doubt; faith is the overcoming of doubt.

We can learn from Thomas that the most endearing things in life can never be proven. Forensic science will not be able to prove that Jesus died and was raised from the dead. Jesus understands that it is harder for us to believe than for Thomas and he counts us blessed.

We learn from Thomas that we must move beyond doubt, to faith. It is alright to doubt, but in our discipleship we should move beyond doubt.

When Thomas recognized his Master, he believed and exclaimed that Jesus was truly Lord and truly God! Through the gift of faith we, too, proclaim that Jesus is our personal Lord and our God. He died and rose that we, too, might have new life in him. The Lord offers each of us new life in his Holy Spirit that we may know him personally and walk in this new way of life through the power of his resurrection. Do we believe in God’s word and the power of the Holy Spirit?

Today in the Holy Mother Church (Catholic) all over the world is also known as the “Divine Mercy Sunday” . The mercy of God is always available not restricted to this second Sunday of Easter but we can see that Thomas experienced God’s mercy today even in his unbelieve. However, the mercy of God is meant for all but we are called upon today to be watchful and careful of some hindrances which may likely not make us partakers of His mercy and those barriers to God’s mercy are: Doubt, Despair, Deception, Distraction and Distrust. Our God knows that we are weak but we should not dwell on that because our past is meant to better the present and the future.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, through your victory over sin and death you have overcome all the powers of darkness. Help us to draw near to you and to trust in your life-giving word. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and strengthen our faith in your promises and our hope in the power of your resurrection. May God’s mercy speak for us always. Amen

Happy Divine Mercy Sunday!

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