Mercy is one of those words that carries a deep sense of reverence. According to Merriam-Webster, its definition reflects a sacred complexity. The third definition, in particular, stands out: “compassionate treatment of those in distress.” How often do we truly embody this? Let us take time this week to reflect on the definition and the sacred nature of Mercy as Christians.
A while back, a homilist reflected on four essential truths of our existence as God’s creations, framed within the context of our Christian faith:
- We will die.
- There will be judgment.
- We may go to heaven.
- We may go to hell.
The homilist then emphasized that the choices we make—whether to follow God and carry our crosses with Him—form the foundation of the Christian life. The Catholic Church teaches that the graces we receive from God, along with the faith we hold, should naturally lead us to good works. As St. James writes in his epistle (James 2:14-26), “faith without works is dead,” underscoring the idea that Christianity is not a passive pursuit.
Philippians 4:13 further underscores this divine plan by reminding us that it is God who strengthens us in our endeavors. And as Paul beautifully puts it in Romans 8:14-17, we are all spiritually adopted as sons and daughters of God.
In light of this, I propose a fifth truth for reflection: as spiritually adopted children of God, we must also consider the essential quality of mercy. Mercy is not only a gift we receive but a virtue we are called to practice, following the example set by our Heavenly Father.
In the 1930s, a humble Polish nun, Sister Faustina Kowalska, who belonged to the Congregation of Divine Mercy, reported experiencing various visions and encounters with God’s mercy, as recorded in her Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. In the year 2000, Pope Saint John Paul II canonized Sister Faustina as a saint and established the second Sunday of Easter as the feast of Divine Mercy.
The Gospel reading from John 20:19-31 recounts the story of Thomas, also called Didymus, who doubted the resurrection of Jesus. The apostles, along with Thomas, are discussing the Lord’s appearance after His resurrection. Thomas, unwilling to believe without tangible evidence, insists that he must not only see the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and the wound in His side but must touch them to believe. When Jesus appears to him, He invites Thomas to do just that. In that profound moment, Thomas exclaims, “My Lord and my God!” This powerful encounter demonstrates the boundless mercy of Jesus. His willingness to appear to Thomas and invite him to touch His wounds exemplifies a deeper message: as Christians, we are called to reach out to those who lack faith, hope, or belief.
Today, Divine Mercy calls us to reflect on five key truths: death, judgment, heaven, hell, and mercy. Carrying our crosses and avoiding sin would mean little without the transforming power of mercy. It’s not enough to attend church more frequently, pray more diligently, or seek to act more influentially than others if we lack the essential quality of mercy. The divine healer, our Lord Jesus, who cared for the outcasts, healed the sick, and bore the weight of sin for all humanity, shows us the true meaning of mercy. He offers this mercy even to doubting Thomas, illustrating that mercy is for all, especially those who struggle to believe.
Of course, even for those who may not adhere to the tradition of the Divine Mercy devotion—a reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus remains a fitting and meaningful alternative.
The Acts of the Apostles offers a powerful account of what life was like for the early Christian community. The early Christians claimed no personal possessions and shared everything in common. One might be tempted to view this as a form of communism. However, such an assumption would be mistaken. Under communism, societal class warfare often arises, creating sharp divisions between the ruling oligarchy and the general citizenry. This system is not merciful.
In contrast, the writer of Acts describes a community where “no one was in need.” Those who owned houses or land sold them and brought the proceeds to the apostles, who distributed the funds according to the needs of the community. This was not about creating a classless society through force or coercion, but about mercy and charity—voluntarily shared among believers out of love.
We also learn from the story of Thomas that God will come to us, offering comfort and removing our spiritual blindfolds. It is not about seeing life through our own limited perspective, but about seeing our existence through God’s eyes—through His lens of mercy. Mercy, at its core, is the experience of God’s great agape love.
Our choice of heaven and its promises is within our reach, but we must first allow God’s mercy to enter our hearts. It is a radical choice to let the blood of Christ’s wounds wash over us, not only cleansing us but also moving us to share that same mercy with others. This is the transformative power of grace.
Saint Maria Faustina, God’s “Apostle of Divine Mercy,” who lived during a time just before the rise of fascism, communism, and the onset of World War II, serves as a powerful example of how God blesses us with gentle reminders to make the most of the graces we receive. Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel—reminding us not to hide our light under a bushel basket but to let it shine for all to see (Matthew 5:15)—are a fitting reflection of this call to mercy.
Today, let us reflect and pray for God’s mercy to enter us and transform us as we minister to our fellow man/woman on this Divine Mercy Sunday. Jesus I trust in you to come fill my heart and soul this day with your mercy. Transform me and lead me to bring that mercy to others. For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen.
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