Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
On the day of the Resurrection, Jesus came to his disciples in his newly glorified body. He came to them despite the locked doors. This indicates a new way of being for Jesus in the Resurrection. There are no physical barriers to his presence anymore, only those spiritual barriers that we make of our own volition. He wants to come to us. He desires to be with us. We only need to let him in to our hearts for him to rush to us.
He gave his peace to the gathered disciples. He helped to wash aware their fears. He would be with them always, even until the end of time. That didn’t mean that they were danger-free. Many of them would die because of their faith in him, but they would die knowing that they would rise again, just as he had. He was showing them that Resurrection after death is not only possible, but it is his promise to those who will follow him to this New Life.
Then Jesus said this to his followers: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
If we make the decision to follow Jesus as one of his disciples, then he does the same for us. He appears to us and no one (other than ourselves) can keep him from us. He gives us his peace, even if it means that we might sometimes need to suffer because of our faith in him. And he sends us on mission — to bring his Gospel, his forgiveness, his charity, and his life to others. We must make known what we have heard and seen.
Saint John Paul II proclaimed the Second Sunday of Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. It is a testament to the fact that, despite our own betrayals and sins, Jesus comes back to us time and time again, just as he did to the disciples who had denied him and deserted him. Jesus always comes back. We are the recipients of divinely persistent mercy. This is the mercy that we are sent on mission by Jesus to show to others. This is the divine way — and we are made to be in its image. We are made to be God’s witness of love in the world — always.
For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Have a blessed week everyone.