Weekly Homilies2nd Sunday after Easter: Divine Mercy Sunday
We are on the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday.
The Gospel passage today opens with a very familiar human experience—fear, confusion, sorrow. Picture the disciples, locked behind closed doors. They're frightened. And why? Because the ones who crucified their Master, Jesus, might come after them next.
They are terrified, confused, grieving. They had placed all their hope in Jesus, and now they’ve witnessed His brutal death. What’s next? Everything they believed seems to have fallen apart.
Have you ever been there? In fear, confusion, sorrow? Many of us have—maybe even now.
But how did Jesus respond? How did He transform that fear, confusion, and sorrow into joy and peace?
Let’s walk through the Gospel:
1. Jesus Came to Them
John 20:19 – “Jesus came and stood among them.”
He came. Though the doors were locked, He came.
This reminds us of John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
The same Jesus who once walked among them before His Passion now comes again, risen and alive.
They tried to hide—but you cannot hide from Jesus. He comes to meet us where we are.
2. Jesus Spoke Peace
He didn’t rebuke them for running away. He didn’t shame them for their fear. Instead, He said:
“Peace be with you.”
That word—shalom—means more than “don’t worry.” It’s a deep, wholeness-giving peace. The peace of reconciliation with God.
Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Just as He calmed the storm with “Peace, be still”, He now calms the storm inside their hearts.
3. Jesus Showed His Wounds
John 20:20 – “He showed them His hands and His side.”
The Risen Christ is the Crucified Christ. His glorified body still bears the marks of love.
Those wounds are not erased—they are glorified. Forever a sign of His love and the price He paid for our salvation.
They are proof that Jesus is not distant from our suffering—He is marked by it, and He brings resurrection through it.
4. The Result? Joy!
“The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”
Fear turns to faith.
Confusion becomes clarity.
Sorrow is transformed into joy.
Peace and joy—two gifts they received. And now, they are no longer victims. They are conquerors.
Jesus says in John 16:33 – “In the world you will have trouble. But take courage—I have conquered the world.”
So St. Paul writes in Romans 8:35, 37 –
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? … In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
Their encounter with the Risen Jesus gives them new life.
5. Jesus Sends Them
John 20:21 – “As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.”
The Father sent Jesus to bring mercy to the world. Now Jesus sends us to do the same.
It is not enough to admire the Divine Mercy image.
It is not enough to pray the Chaplet every day.
We must become agents of mercy.
One Story from My Life
I once made a very serious mistake. I knew it could get me dismissed. But I had to report it. With fear, I went to my student master.
I expected punishment.
Instead, he hugged me and said:
“All of us make mistakes. If you’ve learned from it, don’t look back. I’m with you.”
Today, I stand here as a priest because he showed me mercy.
I don’t remember all my professors’ lectures. But I will never forget my master who showed me mercy.
The Call Today
If you’ve experienced God’s mercy, don’t keep it to yourself.
Be merciful—as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:36).
Bring mercy to your family, your parish, your workplace.
Just as Jesus came to the fearful and confused disciples, He comes to you today:
- He stands among you
- He says “Peace be with you”
- He shows you His wounds of love
- He fills you with joy and peace
- And then He says:
“Now go—share that mercy.”
Amen.
God bless you all.
You can download these pdf's to follow along during the homily or have an opportunity to refresh what Father said during the Mass.