Readings for April 26-27, Second Sunday of Easter, Sunday of Divine Mercy
By Lyn Zahorik | For On Mission
“The quality of mercy is not strained, it falls like the gentle rain from heaven, upon the place beneath.”
It may seem that this is a quote from sacred Scripture. However, it is taken from the play “The Merchant of Venice,” written by William Shakespeare at a time when people literally fell to their knees begging for the mercy of the courts.
Divine Mercy Sunday reveals that the quality of God’s mercy is not strained or, more aptly, as St. Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, described it: his mercy is divine! In the year 2000, St. John Paul II, inspired by the visions and messages St. Faustina received from Jesus, created Divine Mercy Sunday. Since then, it has been celebrated each year on the second Sunday of Easter.
An image seen in most Catholic churches on this day comes from St. Faustina’s visions and depicts Jesus with his right hand raised and his left hand touching his chest. From his heart emanates two radiant rays — one red and one white, symbolizing the “merciful” blood and water that flowed from Christ’s side during his crucifixion. There is often an inscription that reads, “Jesus, I trust in You.”
The heart of Divine Mercy Sunday lies in celebrating God’s infinite compassion and forgiveness. This can be a difficult concept for us to accept. We may feel that we need to earn forgiveness or “prove ourselves” before we are deserving of grace. This mindset, however, conflicts with the very essence of the mercy which is unconditional and freely given by God.
The power of that grace does have a forcible effect on us. Once we accept God’s mercy, it calls us to act in ways that reflect that gift. Mercy requires transformation. It invites us to show the same compassion, forgiveness and love to others, mirroring the grace we’ve received.
This can be demanding, especially when it involves forgiving those who have hurt us, loving our enemies or showing kindness in the face of injustice.
It might be a bit easier, though, if we reflect on this Sunday’s Gospel. It tells the story of Thomas and is a beautiful example of how mercy involves transformation. Thomas had been such a close follower of Jesus, yet, after the burial of and Resurrection of Jesus, he doubted the testimonies of the other disciples, adamantly and even with a hint of anger.
But when Jesus appeared to Thomas, Jesus did not rebuke or criticize. Instead, he recognized Thomas’ struggle and reached out to him, offering his wounded hands with gentle mercy and grace.
That encounter threw Thomas to his knees, crying out, “My Lord and my God.”
Perhaps on this Mercy Sunday, we, both literally and figuratively, should fall to our own knees, not as the people of Shakespeare’s time, who were begging mercy from the court, but rather with the same awe for God’s divine mercy that Thomas experienced. A mercy so vast and incomprehensible that all we can do is cry out, “My Lord and my God.”
Zahorik is director for spiritual engagement at St. Mary Parish, Omro, and St. Mary Parish, Winneconne
The readings for Sunday, April 27, can be found at Second Sunday of Easter, Sunday of Divine Mercy | USCCB