Divine Mercy Sunday, 2023

First Reading:  Acts 2:42-47
Psalm # 118 R: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever
Second Reading:  1 Peter 1:3-9
Gospel Acclamation Verse: You believed, Thomas, because you have seen me; blessed are those
who have not seen, and yet believe. (John 20:29) Alleluia
Gospel: John 20:19-31
Theme:  Believe it! It’s True!

Commentary by Jane Prini

If I told you that I could run faster than a car, would you believe me? How could I convince you? If I told you that I could eat twenty bars of chocolate, one after the other, would you believe me? What would I have to do to convince you? When someone tells us something incredible, we need to be convinced and we want some proof for ourselves. But do you know what? If it's true, it's true with or without proof—whether I believe it or not!

When Jesus rose from the grave, he appeared in person to a group of his disciples. They were able to see and hear for themselves that he really was alive. Thomas, called ‘the twin’, was not with them. He could not believe that Jesus alive. It was just to incredible to believe without proof.

Days later, Jesus appeared to them again. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus had Thomas touch his wounds. Now he had the proof he needed, and he believed. Thomas was quick to respond in love and obedience and Jesus was quick to receive him. Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We know that St. Thomas was a very powerful missionary for the rest of his life, teaching about Jesus and inviting many thousands to also believe.

Did you notice the first thing that Jesus said to his disciples? He said, “Peace be with you” or in Hebrew, “Shalom”. He was telling them that he was forgiving them for deserting him when he needed them the most. He offered them the gift of his peace to calm their fears and troubles. 

Jesus offers the same to his followers, to you and me, today. We do not have the physical or bodily presence of Jesus to convince us that he is alive, but we do have his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit strengthens our faith and helps us recognize Jesus is alive and working in the people all around us. At mass Father offers ‘peace be with you’ and we answer, ‘and with your spirit’ several times. Then, just before we share the Eucharist together we express our love for one another and pray for peace and unity, when we offer the sign of peace to those around us. 

A lot of people today don't believe that Jesus really rose from the grave because they haven't seen Him with their own two eyes. Do you know what? It is true whether they believe it or not! You and I have never seen Jesus, but we believe. We accept Him by faith. We don’t have to see it to believe it!

Today, is the Feast of the Divine Mercy. See bottom of the family activities on the following page for a short explanation on this feast. 

May the Spirit of Jesus strengthen your faith and help you to see Jesus alive and working in the people all around you. May you help others to see Jesus alive too.

Prayer for Families:  Heavenly Father, we can accept by faith that Jesus has risen from the grave and that He is alive even today through the Holy Spirit and in those we meet. Praise and thank you, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Prayer for Families: Heavenly Father, I have spent all of Lent preparing to celebrate with Jesus on Easter! Thank you Jesus for conquering death and rising from the dead on the first Easter Sunday! Help me to continue to grow closer to You throughout the Easter Season! Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

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