Lesson of the Week: The Risen Lord and His Love

Rev Albertus Herwanta, O. Carm

Love is a fundamental and existential need in our lives. Yet, many people feel unloved and unwanted, a reality that can be more profound than physical hunger. Mother Teresa aptly described this experience, highlighting the deep longing for love and acceptance that resides within every human heart. In this context, the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his merciful love offer a profound response to our deepest needs.

God is Love and Mercy

God's nature is defined by love and mercy. Scripture affirms that "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16) and reveals his merciful heart through various accounts, including the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-27).

Jesus Christ, as the manifes-tation of God's love and mercy, embodies these divine attri-butes through his life, death, and resurrection.

The Connection Between Resurrection and Merciful Love

The Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrates Jesus' resurrection and his boundless mercy towards humanity. This connection is rooted in the belief that Jesus' resurrection is not just a triumph over death but also a demonstration of God's love and mercy. Through his resurrection, Jesus offers us a new life filled with hope, peace, and the promise of eternal life.

Jesus' Appearance to Thomas

In today's Gospel (John 20:19-31), Jesus appears to Thomas, showing him his wounds and inviting him to trust. This event reveals Jesus' heart, full of love and mercy, and serves as a powerful reminder of his presence with us in times of need. Jesus' wounds are open channels of mercy, symbolizing the flow of love and forgiveness that emanated from his sacrifice on the cross (John 19:34).

Gifts of Mercy

Jesus bestows three precious gifts of mercy upon us:

First, peace: Jesus offers peace to his disciples, freeing them from remorse and self-absorp-tion. This peace awakens missi-on and enables us to become witnesses of mercy.

Second, the Holy Spirit: Jesus grants the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we experience God's mercy and are lifted up from our misery.

Third, wounds of Jesus: Jesus shows his wounds, which are a testament to his enduring love and mercy. By contemplating his wounds, we realize that our weaknesses are accepted in his tender love.

Becoming Merciful

As we receive mercy from Jesus, we are called to become merciful towards others. The lives of the disciples, who shared their possessions and cared for the needy after experiencing Jesus' mercy (Acts 5:15-16), served as a powerful example.

We can follow their lead by: First, sharing our blessings: being generous and caring towards those in need. Second, showing compassion: looking beyond appearances and seeing the beauty in others' souls. Third, forgiving others: extending mercy to those who have wronged us.

Conclusion

On this Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, we are invited to trust in Jesus' mercy and love. May we reflect on Jesus' heart, full of mercy, and strive to become merciful towards others.

As Jesus said to Saint Faustina, "My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world." Let us open our hearts to receive his mercy and share it with others, especially those who are hungry for love and acceptance. Are we ready to share Jesus' love and mercy to our neighbor? (*)