Today is the second Sunday of Easter, also known as the divine mercy Sunday. This is a celebration that was instituted by Saint Pope John Paul II which we celebrate today. Taking into consideration the readings which we hear today, they all point out the fact that the mercy of God is overwhelming. The mercy of God continues to abound in our lives and continues to abound in the world. This mercy brings down to us the unconditional love of \god for his people, for you and I. As we celebrate the Divine Mercy Sunday today, it calls to mind the wonderful privilege that God has presented to us as a result of his wonderful mercy, unconditional love. Today, according to St Faustina we are given the wonderful priviledge and opportunity for renewal. This stems from the fact that the Lord promised that those who go to confession and receive holy communion today, will receive both forgiveness of sins, and also remission of temporal sin and punishment even if we have to go before today, it is also valid. My brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the mercy of God, it also calls you and I in a very special way inviting us to exhibit this mercy in our human relationships.
In the Gospel reading we see how God continues to show us his mercy. We see the institution of the sacrament of reconciliation. Jesus gives the command to the apostles that those whose sins they forgive are forgive, and those that they retain are retained. This goes to show us the wonderful love that God has for humanity. He presents us the sacraments to give us healing, to give us newness of life.
My brothers and sisters, how well are we making good use of this wonderful sacrament of reconciliation? In the sacrament of reconciliation we see the mercy of God at work, we meet God as He really is. Do we avail of ourselves to this gracious sacrament? If yes thanks be to God. If no today’s celebration presents us such a wonderful opportunity to embrace the love of God in the Sacrament.
As we embrace the mercy of God in the sacrament, his blessings will continually abound in our lives. God continues to invite us, God continues to enjoin us to emulate him as his children. As such my brothers and sisters we are all called as people of God, as children of God to continue to enjoy this wonderful mercy of God. Let us also make honest and sincere efforts to extend this same mercy to our brothers and sisters. It may be difficult, it may be challenging, but one thing is certain: For those who believe in God, everything works well unto good. That is why He says, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Let us continue to stand firm in his promises.
Let us not lag in our efforts because he never disappoints those who hope in him. The mercy of God we see all around us, the mercy of God continues to resound in our lives, in our families, in our schools, in our places of work, in our market places, God continues to show us his loving mercy. His mercy is overwhelming.
Let us equally sincerely strive to ensure that this mercy comes to form in our lives. We should always remember that reconciliation is the key. Let us equally come to terms with the fact that when there is need for it we should not compromise. This is because in reconciliation we meet God and we find peace and love established again in our lives.
Let us learn, my brothers and sisters to embrace this wonderful invitation presented to us through this celebration. We serve the wonderful God, we serve the merciful God.
On this Sunday of Divine Mercy, we pray for his grace to abound in our lives. We pray for his divine assistance so that we will cooperate with this wonderful grace. We pray in a special way in this Celebration of Mercy for the unconditional love of God to the fallen humanity, and all the graces we need to continually cooperate with his love and mercy, even in the face of difficulties.
Jesus, we trust in you.
Peace be with you, Amen.