Divine Mercy Sunday Year C

Acts 5:12-16

Ps. 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19

John 20:19-31

A few years ago, successful and famous Protestant pastors and preachers publicly renounced Christ and left the Church, apologizing to their fellows for misleading them for years and years. Dave Gass from Grace mega church, after 20 years of active pastoring, or Paul Maxwell, a successful Christian writer, they became atheist, saying Christ and Christianity is not for real. 

Very interesting! There are many other ordinary Christians doing the same thing, or though remaining in the Church, their hearts are not there anymore! They left Christ for the same reason. This is not for real. Doubts, uncertainty, fear … what went wrong???

Being afraid, feeling uncertain or uneasy, feeling overwhelmed with doubts is not the end of the world. It is something natural. It is part of the journey! We see this even with the first disciples and apostles! A personal encounter must take place! Otherwise, everything will fall apart. But the good news, the gospel, the glad tidings is this: the Lord wants to meet you! He is alive! He is close! Do not deceive yourself! 

Fear, uncertainty, doubts – look at the apostles who don’t believe the women; they are locked out of fear. Look at Mary Magdalene at the tomb; she did not recognize the Lord! Look at Thomas, overwhelmed with doubts. Doubts, uncertainty, fear and confusion – these are not the problem! The danger is “how do I respond to” my fears, confusion, doubts and uncertainty. There is a natural coping mechanism. The human intellect takes the lead: Whatever I can understand and explain, this is what I accept and rely on. 

The flow of thoughts may be the following: We don’t really know because no one has ever proved anything; the Bible is unreliable … so I leave. Or I do not believe, but I find it nice to have a community, traditions … so I stay, but the church is my social club.  

What was the way of the disciples? Mary Magdalene, for example. She was at the tomb, looking and searching. She could not recognize Jesus, even though she looked at him. Why? She dwelled on the past and on her sadness, pain and frustration. She dwelled on her convictions. He is dead. They took his body. … I need the body to bury. Disciples? They dwelled on their own panic and fear. The Master is executed. They will execute us as well. Let us make provisions: hide! Do not show up in public! Thomas? He dwelled on his doubts and probably searched for answers and proof. In his logic, only a tangible proof could dispel any doubt and frustration. … Only logic can make sense.

What changed them? Mary Magdalene hears the stranger calling her by name: Mary! When this personal encounter takes place, her eyes are open, and she experiences his presence. Jesus comes to the disciples. He greets them, talks to them. … Thomas wants to see, and the Lord answers his request. All of them needed a personal encounter. 

The Lord answers their need. However, there are some steps we must take. Mary Magdalene was searching for Jesus. She came to the tomb and did not give up. The disciples were together. As faithful Jews, they prayed. Being together for Jews always involves prayer, sharing thoughts, fears and questions. Thomas was searching. It is this attitude to which the Lord responds! 

Those pastors did not have the same attitude. They did not search Jesus. They remained in the past with their fears, frustration, sadness, disappointment. The disciples searched for Jesus, even though they had troubles!

This is the Sunday of Mercy – the Lord wants to meet you where you are at. Just as he did with the disciples. He wants to answer all your problems. Do you have the same attitude as Mary Magdalene, Thomas and the apostles, though? Or will you dwell on your past? In Baptism, we received the strength to look at the future and not at the past. Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him (…) God made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses (Col 2:12-13) 

Jesus said to St. Faustina: “I am love and mercy itself; there is no human misery that could measure up to my mercy” (Diary, 14 September 1937). At one time, the Saint, with satisfaction, told Jesus that she had offered him all of her life and all that she had. But Jesus’ answer stunned her: “You have not offered me the thing is truly yours.” What had that holy nun kept for herself? Jesus said to her with kindness: “My daughter, give me your failings” (10 October 1937). Jesus is repeating the same to you: Give me your doubts, fears, frustration … Use this gift and the Lord will surprise you! Because our God is the God of surprise!