19/04/2020
*Finding Nourishment in God's Word*
*Second Sunday of Easter: Divine Mercy Sunday 19/04/2020*
_Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 118; 1Pet 1:3-9; John 20:19-31_
This Sunday was instituted by St. Pope John Paul II as Divine Mercy Sunday on 30th April 2000, on the occasion of the canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska. This feast was established in response to the request of the Lord Jesus to St Faustina. The Lord said _*"I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for souls. Humankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My Mercy".*_ There is no providential time to turn trustfully to the Divine Mercy than this time when our world is ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic. The readings offer deep insight into what the Divine Mercy can do in the life of the believing community and the individual believer. In the first reading, Luke gives a portrait of an ideal Christian community: it is one that has been moved by Divine Mercy to repent of its sins and it's opened to the Spirit's influence. Members of such a community have experienced a remarkable lifestyle change such that it attracts others to the Christian faith. Unique characteristics of this community include: *following apostolic teaching, sharing common life(koinonia), celebration of the Eucharist (breaking of bread) and praying together*. These characteristics clearly show that such a Christian community is under the influence of the Spirit. The second reading celebrates the Christian God as a merciful God and Father in contradistinction to the pagan god's. Through Jesus' resurrection (an act of his great mercy), he has given us new birth and a living hope. Nonetheless, this new birth as precious as it is may be tested. We therefore need to be on guard. The appearance of the Risen Lord to the fearful disciples and subsequent breathing on them and entrusting a mission to them are evocative of biblical imagery of creation of man (John 20:19-23//Gen 2:7). In sum, Jesus recreated the disciples and offered them five great gifts: joy, peace, mission, forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. One last point to note: despite the locked doors he manifested his presence to them. *This is an indication of his victory over the limitations human circumstances can impose. Regardless of our present global plague coupled with human weaknesses and wickedness, doubts and fears, lockdown and boredom, sin and shame, his divine mercy would always prevail. His presence will always be with us to comfort us.* Blessed Easter!
*(Fr. Miezah)*