First Reading: Acts 4:32-35
Reflection:
During the Easter season we hear from the Acts of the Apostles about the life of the early Church after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. We can learn much from these accounts about how we are to act in the Church today. This Sunday’s first reading emphasizes the unity of the Church. The believers were all “of one heart and mind.” We see here the followers of Christ living out what Jesus had prayed for on the night before He was betrayed—that those who believe in Him “may all be one” (John 17:21). Unfortunately, today there are many wounds to this unity. There is much division in Christianity as a whole and even within Catholicism itself. How can we overcome this? Well, we can’t…at least not on our own. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. Only God can bring us together. If we trust in Him, focus on growing in our relationship with Him, and seek the truth, we will naturally grow closer to others doing the same. Unity in the Church is not merely getting along. It involves caring for each other’s needs, especially the most vulnerable among us, and embracing the truth revealed by Jesus. Let us, therefore, emulate the example of the early Christians, seeking to be “of one heart and mind” in Christ.
Second Reading: 1 John 5:1-6
Reflection:
This passage emphasizes belief and love. These are truly the identifying marks of the Christian. For Christians put their faith in Jesus, who is God, and live their lives in love of God. What does Christian love look like? St. Thomas Aquinas defined love as “to will the good of the other.” Love is more than a feeling. It is active and obedient. “For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments.” In other words, if we love God, the fruit of that love will be our joyful obedience to Him. We will trust that He knows what is best for us and we will follow Him. God does not impose on us harsh commandments, but commands us to do what is ultimately best for us and others, for God knows exactly what we need since He created us. Love of God naturally leads to love of neighbor too, for “we love the children of God when we love God.” How do we do this? By faith in Christ! It is only through Christ that we can truly love God and obey Him as we should.
Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31
Reflection:
These post-resurrection appearances of Jesus are packed with meaning, including parallels with the Mass. First, both appearances occurred on the “first day of the week,” which is Sunday, the day we still gather today. Second, the Lord is present with his followers, speaking to them His Word (like in the Liturgy of the Word), offering them peace (like in the Sign of Peace), and showing them His crucified and risen body (like in the Liturgy of the Eucharist). The Apostles’ response is worship, as should be ours at Mass. Doubting Thomas needed to see the risen Lord in order to believe. But Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” As Christians, we must “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). The risen Lord is fully present with us in the Mass through the Holy Eucharist, but it takes the eyes of faith to be able to see Him there. Furthermore, this passage includes the institution of the Sacrament of Confession. Jesus said to the Apostles, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” In doing so, He gave the Apostles the authority to forgive and retain sins in His name. They passed this authority down from Jesus to bishops and priests all the way to today. It is fitting to reflect on the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and God’s mercy that is given to us in it on this Divine Mercy Sunday.
Application:
- Reflect on how well you love God by obeying His commandments. What commandments do you need to work on observing in order to better love God and others?
- Try incorporating the simple, yet profound, prayer that’s written on the Divine Mercy image throughout each day to help you grow in your faith in Christ: “Jesus, I trust in you.” This Sunday, take time to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
