Jesus invites us to embrace His love and peace.
The second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday, invites
us to reflect on peace and trust in God’s mercy. In the Gospel reading from St.
John, the disciples, feeling afraid and uncertain, lock themselves away to seek
safety from the chaos outside. In their moment of isolation, Jesus comes to them,
delivering a message of peace that resonates deeply with us today, “Peace be
with you.” These comforting words, not only soothe the disciples but also
encourage them to feel His presence and release their fears. In our world today,
it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. Like the disciples, we often try
to guard our hearts and minds by hiding behind locked doors, which can lead to
feelings of loneliness and despair. However, Jesus is always willing to step into
our closed-off spaces; whether they are emotional walls we’ve built or doubts that
burden us, He invites us to open our hearts to His love and peace.
When Jesus showed His wounds, it held deep significance. It reminds us
that He understands our suffering and fears. By revealing His hands and side,
He shares His experience of pain while rising above it with the resurrection and
peace. The joy of the disciples upon seeing Him reflects the amazing
transformation of encountering the risen Lord. This moment not only brings
comfort but also inspires us. When Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I
send you,” He shares a mission of love and mercy, encouraging us to spread His
peace and compassion to everyone around us.
Divine Mercy Sunday encourages us to reflect on our relationship with God
and one another. The message of mercy is particularly relevant in today’s world,
where significant divisions and conflicts exist. It challenges us to confront our
fears and open our hearts to the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation. We
are reminded that we are never alone. Despite our uncertainties, we are called to
foster connections instead of retreating into isolation. Embracing the peace of
Christ compels us to actively participate in our communities, sharing the hope
that comes from faith. We must allow mercy to flow through us, healing wounds
and breaking down the barriers that separate us from our fears and doubts.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we joyfully celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, let’s
take a moment to reflect on the beautiful message Jesus shared with His
disciples and how it touches our lives today. Let’s open our hearts wide, seek the
unique peace that only He can give us, and trust in God’s boundless mercy. By
embracing this, we can participate in Christ’s wonderful mission, becoming
vessels of His peace and love within our families and the world.Fr. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor