TAKING AWAY OUR DOUBTS ON GOD'S MERCY - 04/16/23 (Sunday of Divine Mercy)

John 20:19-31

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041523.cfm

Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday! The Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday was established because of the request of Jesus Christ to St. Faustina in a private revelation. This day was celebrated as a private devotion, but in the year 2000, Pope St. John Paul II put this feast on the official calendar of the Church so that every Catholic will receive the goodness of God's infinite mercy on this day. Based on the private revelation received by St. Faustina, our Lord Jesus said,

“My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are open all the divine floodgates through which graces flow” (Diary #699).

This is the day when God will pour out on us a whole ocean of graces if we approach the fountain of His mercy. These graces from the Sacred Heart of Jesus gives us true peace. This is why in the gospel reading for today, Jesus tells us, "Peace be with you." However, not all of us are aware of this peace, and it's because we doubt in the mercy of God. In today's gospel reflection, we will mention at least two things that we may doubt which hinder our hearts from receiving this ocean of graces. First, some people may doubt the authenticity of the teachings of the Catholic Church. For other people, we only need Jesus, and not His Church, or a religion, or any authoritative body. However, if we really trust in Jesus, we will also trust in the teachings of the Catholic Church. In the first reading, we saw how the earliest followers of Christ were obedient to the teachings of the apostles. The teachings of the Church are the same as the teachings of Jesus Christ because the Church is the Mystical Body of Christ here on earth. Despite the imperfections of the apostles of Jesus, He still sent the Holy Spirit to them and used them as instruments for the proclamation of the gospel. Our Lord did this because He desired the salvation of souls. And, this mission of salvation did not stop from the last of the apostles, but it continued  even today and until the glorious second coming of Christ. 

Second, we may doubt the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of the Eucharist and Confession, as a fountain of God's mercy. Other people may think that there is no need to go to the Mass, and that it's ok to just pray on their own. Although prayers are good, Jesus is reminding us that He is the source of mercy, and as such, it's by coming to the Mass that we can receive these graces. Why is this the case? It's because the Eucharist is Jesus Himself. On the little host, our Lord Jesus appears to us under the appearance of bread. Such is the humility of God. This is shown in many passages in the Scriptures, especially in the Last Supper when He said, as He was holding the Eucharist, "This is My Body." Our Lord Jesus told St. Faustina, "My great delight is to unite Myself with souls.... When I come to a human heart in Holy Communion, My hands are full of all kinds of graces which I want to give to the soul. But souls do not even pay any attention to Me; they leave Me to Myself and busy themselves with other things. Oh, how sad I am that souls do not recognize Love! They treat Me as a dead object" (1385). Also, with regards to the sacrament of confession, Jesus told His disciples, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained (John 20:23)." There is real power in the sacrament of confession, not because of the priests have powers in themselves, but because of our Lord who used the priests as instruments of His forgiveness and salvation. Just as how the doors were closed when our Lord appeared to the disciples, let's close our hearts from any doubts. Instead, let's say in our heart, "Jesus, I trust in You." Let's give thanks to God because His mercy is everlasting. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

On Divine Mercy Sunday:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/triduum-and-easter-prayers/divine-mercy-sunday/

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth