Divine Mercy Sunday (A); April 16, 2023

Acts 2:42-47.  Ps 118.  1 Pt 1:3-9.  Jn 20:19-31

Deacon Jim McFadden

         During the ‘90s, a popular, albeit off-beat television show was the X-Files, featuring agent Fox Mulder, an investigator of the para-normal.  He had a poster in office of a UFO and the words “I want to believe.”  From the show’s opening pilot to the series finale, this poster gave an insight into Mulder’s character.  Against nearly insurmountable evidence, he really wanted to believe.  When forensic investigator Dana Scully—a voice of reasoned skepticism: just show me the facts!—arrives on the scene as Mulder’s partner, the show’s chemistry of faith, doubt, and denial is in place. 

            This Sunday’s gospel  about the “doubting Thomas” has a similar explosive mix to it.  Yet, unlike Scully’s penchant for skeptical denial, Thomas leans more towards Mulder.  Both are coming from a searching faith.  Thomas is someone who really wants to believe.  Is this really Jesus!  If it is, then despite all the insurmountable evidence that he shouldn’t believe (I mean, dead people don’t back to life!), Thomas eventually does.  

            Thomas has really gotten a bad rap.  How would you like to go down in ecclesial history as “doubting Thomas”?  What is it about you that became the lone voice expressing doubt among a confident crowd who were convinced that they had seen the Risen Christ.  It may be that Thomas’ desire to see and touch the wounds and scars of his friend, was a desire for “proof.”  Or, it may be that  Thomas wanted to touch Jesus because he was looking for connection.

            That may be one reason why St. John Paul II established in 2000 that this Sunday is dedicated to Divine Mercy.  Why the second Sunday of Easter?  Why not later?  Why this one?  I believe it was the Holy Spirit who inspired him in this way because there is a necessary connection between the Resurrection and mercy.  It’s all about connection.

            Let’s look at the Gospel account of the Appearance of the Risen Christ to the disciples gathered in the Upper Room.  Jesus says to them, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”  After saying this, he makes the gesture of breathing on them and adds: “Receive the Holy Spirit.  Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (Jn 20:21-23). 

            Do you see the connection?  Divine Mercy is presented on the very day of Jesus’ Resurrection as the forgiveness of sins.  The Risen Christ is passing on to his Church as her first task, his own mission of bringing  to all humanity the message of forgiveness.  As people of the Resurrection of Jesus, this is the very FIRST thing we do: to announce forgiveness, which keeps us connected to God and to each other.  And, when we announce and live forgiveness, we experience the peace with in our hearts and a joy that comes from a renewed counter with the Lord Jesus.  It is by practicing Mercy that we know, that we experience the Risen Christ.  Otherwise, the Resurrection is just a theological notion.

            Mercy also opens the door of the heart in which the Risen Christ can permeate our entire being.  Moved by the Holy Spirit, we will do what Jesus does: we will come closer to those who are oppressed, marginalized, and lonely.  We will see them as Jesus does: not as objects of inconvenience or threats to our national well being, but as our brothers and sisters, who are children of the one Father, who sent his Son for our salvation.  Mercy disposes us to favor those who are hurting, who need consolation, and helps us to find the words to give them comfort.

            Brothers and sisters, we stay connected with the Risen Christ when we “move, live, and have our being” in Him, which will set our hearts on fire, which will make us sensitive to the needs of others, and encourage them to participate in the life of the Church.  Mercy propels us to be instruments of justice within the political, economic, and social domains.  Rather than fanning the cultural conflicts that lead to inevitable polarization, we will be bridge-builders to reconcile the conflicting parties and to forge peace. 

            These are not idealistic pipe dreams, but are the recognition that mercy is the key stone in the life of faith.  And, it is the concrete form by which we make Jesus’ Resurrection visible to the world.  And, unlike Mulder, we will say the words of Thomas, who no longer doubts:  “My Lord and my God!”

 (v. 28).  Amen.