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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY  “How happy I am to see myself imperfect and be in need of God’s mercy.”  In life everyone needs mercy from one another. As human as we are, we are neither without faults (simply imperfect) nor totally independent. Being social being means we inter-depend on one other in our relationships and interactions. Indeed, no man is an island. So, as we interconnect and interrelate, not everything we do is pleasant. Sometimes we behave well to each other, and other times we hurt and offend one another with our actions and words that bring about disappointments and bad feelings (wanting to pay back).
But even in such circumstances, we still need one another, so there should be apologies on one hand and forgiveness on another. Therefore, mercy becomes the bridge of connectivity. Mercy brings out the compassion, the clemency and the charity in us. We need mercy in our world of revenge, retaliation, selfishness and unforgiving in these trying times of the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic. I believe if we are merciful to one another we can contain the spread and finally defeat it. In our first reading, the members of the early church practiced mercy through sharing and sacrificial agape love. In acts of mercy and love, some of them shared what they had with those in need. Others even sold their properties and gave the money to the church so that the poor and the needy could be cared for and supported. This is because they saw themselves as one believing community. The sense of family fraternity and solidarity was a priority as Christians. This is how their faith community (church) grew. Sisters and brothers in Christ, we are not far from this in our families, parishes and societies in these difficult times of the coronavirus pandemic. We need each other; so out of mercy and love let’s support and care for especially those in need. In doing this, we practice both Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy in our daily lives; an obedience to the prescriptions of the Church. Peter, in the second reading, glorifies God the Father for gifting humanity the Resurrection through the Passion and Death of Jesus. This is a complete proof of His mercy toward us. This sustains our hope of an inheritance in His Kingdom, guarded by faith as we go through trials and sufferings even in our current C19 pandemic challenges. That is why the Psalmist inspires us to give thanks to God "for He is good; His love is everlasting"; because His mercy endures forever. Finally, in our gospel reading, the appearance of the resurrected Jesus to His gathered disciples with the tripartite proclamation of PEACE gives us the powerful result of mercy in our lives. When God has showed mercy, it has yielded peace. Peace is what everyone needs in life to succeed and progress. Also, the fruits of mercy go beyond everything - including doubt (like Thomas) - and gives us the authority to forgive and also to receive forgiveness (Sacrament of Reconciliation). It makes us confess what we believe convincingly (like Thomas). God always offers us the opportunity to celebrate and practice Mercy in our Christian lives. His mercy fires up our faith in Him making us eligible for His merciful judgement. The Divine Mercy brings forth the beauty and the passion of His love for us. When you practice mercy, you proclaim how imperfect you are and that you, too, stand in need of the Divine Mercy. The Mercy of God is the Love of God. "Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36). This is what we need in our world today... Be one! May the Divine Mercy gives us a miracle to the C19... Stay Home... Keep the Faith... PRAY! (Do your Divine Mercy Chaplet). Let Mercy lead... Be Blessed... Fr. Emmanuel Comments are closed.
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Fr. EmmanuelFr. Emmanuel hails from Ghana and is passionate about the Gospel and bringing the love of Christ to all people. He speaks several languages, enjoys soccer and cooking, and loves St. Francis of Assisi. Archives
April 2021
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