Gospel for April 24 2022 – John 20:19-31
Gospel Reflections for April 24 2022
Mercy Sunday
This Sunday recalls Jesus meeting His Disciples …right after his crucifixion.
They had abandoned Jesus at His arrest, torture, and death on a cross. What would be His response now? How do you respond to people who hurt you?
Some always seek revenge. They want swift justice for any offense. But Jesus offers a different response, which is always love, but in a challenging way. He certainly wants to stop evil behavior out of love for victims but also for love of bad people to change their ways.
Right after His resurrection Jesus reveals, of all things …mercy! Why is that?
The Gospel begins in a locked room, where the disciples hid right after Jesus was arrested, tortured, and crucified. They are frightened of everyone, and perhaps Jesus as well. After all, they abandoned Him in His moment of greatest need.
Now they hear He has risen! What will He do now? They could only expect swift revenge. Doesn’t anyone who has ever been hurt?
When Jesus finally arrives His first words are, “Peace be with you!” No one expected that! Jesus is not interested in our punishment, but only in our changed life for the better. He wants us to leave behind sins that only cause us and others pain and finally live His life of joy. That is what mercy is …a promise of no revenge …in exchange for our promise of a changed life!
Only Jesus can arrive inside the locked room of our hearts, that deep place where we keep the memories of our greatest sins. We need to believe in His mercy and His grace that helps us change for the better.
Sister Faustina was a Polish nun in the 1930’s who received a vision of this merciful Jesus. It is the famous “Divine Mercy” image that Pope John Paul encouraged all churches to display this Sunday. He had lived through the horrors of Nazi Germany and Communist Russia, two evil examples of the betrayal of God’s love. He knew the world needed this message of mercy. We see this need now in the continued Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Right after His greeting of “peace” Jesus authorizes His disciples to forgive sins. Now that they have experienced mercy, He wants them to offer mercy to all who come to confession with that same promise of amendment …a promise of a changed life.
That is just what the world needs to hear!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Mercy is a great topic for every Sunday and especially for this Sunday. A great virtue to work on in our Daily comings and goings. With its spread we could change the World. Promoting it in our Family and extending it to our neighbor would cure the ILLS of our World.
Our Faith serves to remind us of the Quality of Mercy in our treatment of ourselves and others.
Let’s all get to work in extending its importance and bring Peace to our Times.
Yes, well said. Let us be merciful every day.
Father is right! THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR!
Thank you!
Love mercy!!!! We must pray for Putin to receive the love of Jesus and retreat from Ukraine and leave these precious people in love and peace!!! With our Pope’s Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, miracles will happen but we must pray, pray, pray!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Love Mercy!!! Love Ukraine and it’s precious people!!! May our preciousJjesus overwhelm the world with His love and Russia retreat!!! May we all receive the gift of mercy with LOVE!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca and Dick
Thank you!
Dear Father Dave,
I believe that Jesus can and does enter our “locked hearts.” So beautifully stated, thank you.
The peace and love of Christ, His holy passion, death, and resurrection are indeed the cornerstones of our faith. These few words can’t begin to measure the heights and depths of their meaning.
I pray that the arms of Christ lift one and all into that place of understanding.
God bless….
Kathleen
Well said, Thank you for your comments.