JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU!

A Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday to everyone.  Today is the Octave (8th) Day of Easter, the Easter Octave being 8 calendar days of continuing jubilant celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection as a single day. 

As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, we celebrate the great mercy of God, manifest to us in Jesus, our Risen Lord, who is the Divine Mercy.  We approach the pierced Heart of Jesus as he dies on the Cross & we claim the Blood & Water that flows from Christ’s Heart as a fountain of mercy for us & the whole world.  Indeed, our Collect (Opening Prayer) at Mass today asks God to increase in all mankind the graces he has bestowed, so humanity can ‘rightly understand in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been redeemed’.

The 2nd Reading from 1 John 5:1-6 expresses this character of Jesus, the Divine Mercy so eloquently: Jesus is the Son of God & 3 witnesses testify to this – the water & blood, & also the Spirit. And we who believe in Jesus, are baptized & love God, experience the fullness of God’s love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (cf Romans 5:5). What a wonderful truth revealed to us – we are truly victorious in Jesus our Risen Lord & have overcome the world!

In our Gospel today (John 20:19-31), the Risen Jesus appears to the frightened disciples in His glorified body & showed that He is indeed risen.  His first words to them, spoken twice, were “Peace be with you.” (cf John 20:19,21).  He breathed His Holy Spirit upon them (cf John 20:22) & with this breath of His love & mercy, He filled their hearts with joy, hope & trust.  Though Thomas was not present at the first appearance & doubted Jesus’ rising, Jesus showered on Thomas His Divine Mercy by inviting him to physically touch the wounds of his crucifixion (cf John 20:27).  This encounter of mercy broke down the walls of Thomas’ doubt (& also his hurt, grief & pain) & he cried out these faith-filled words: “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28). Thomas believed, became a great apostle & witness for Jesus & died as a martyr for Christ in India.

My dear brothers & sisters in the Risen Lord, how do you feel in celebrating the Feast of the Divine Mercy today?  Do you sometimes doubt God’s love for you?  Are you feeling disillusioned & disheartened (like Thomas was) over defeat & failure?  Do you need to experience anew the Father’s comforting love & healing mercy in your life right now? 

Then go with confidence to the Heart of Jesus, the Throne of Grace & Mercy (cf Hebrews 4:16), for He will never forsake you (cf Hebrews 13:5)! Follow what St Bernard of Clairvaux says in his Sermon No 61 on the Song of Songs, 4 & 5:  "But as for me, whatever is lacking in my own resources I appropriate from the heart of the Lord, which overflows with mercy... My merits therefore is the mercy of the Lord".  And place all your trust in the Divine Mercy, by declaring “Jesus, I trust in You”.

Here’s a moving & beautiful worship song “Goodness of God”, singing of the faithful love & mercy of God for us.

https://youtu.be/OXXrk1IXluY?si=0QcQ5VC6cq9-VFFx

Article by Damian Boon, HFC Blog Team Lead