Scripture Reflection for Divine Mercy Sunday - April 19
by Father Tom
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47
Ps. 118
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Gospel: John 20:19-31
In the first reading, we read how the first Christian community lived together and shared all their goods in common. They continued to pray in the temple, share the Eucharist in various houses, and eat their food with generous hearts.
In the second reading St Peter recounts how the Apostles are busy teaching and celebrating the Eucharist and praying together, echoing the lines in the first reading. He tells the first Christians that they should believe in Jesus risen from the dead, even though they have not seen Him as the apostles have. He reminds them of the gift of their faith that brings the salvation of their souls.
In the Gospel, on the first day of the week, that is Sunday, Jesus appears to the apostles and shows s that He is truly risen. He gives them his peace and the promise of the Holy Spirit. St Thomas does not believe the apostles when they tell him they have seen the Lord, but the second time Jesus appears to them He says the line we repeat at every celebration of the Mass, "
My Lord and my God" and we hear the words "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe"
This is Divine Mercy Sunday: let us put ourselves in the mercy of Jesus and continue to trust in His Divine love that he may care for all of us, especially in this time of pandemic and that he will have mercy on all of us and the whole world.
God bless you.
Fr. Tom