April 23, 2017 2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER, DIVINE MERCY-A
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 118
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31
…our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth… 1 Peter 1:3
“Peace be with you.” John 20:26
Lord, this may have not been the greeting from Jesus Thomas expected. With the others he was nowhere to be found during your passion and death. And now, perhaps lost in grief and regret, he couldn’t accept that you had risen from the dead. You embraced him, not with anger, scolding or even a “where were you when I needed you” but with love, peace and mercy. He was overwhelmed with joy at the second chance you gave him. His doubts gone, his failures forgotten, he went onward as “Believing Thomas”, to be your disciple as far as India spreading the good news of the extravagant mercy he received. Lord, like Thomas, I have made really bad decisions and I have doubts. I am an imperfect and sinful person undeserving of your love. But I am confident today that you forgive me like you did Thomas. Thank you, thank you, thank you Jesus for your great mercy. You are truly “my Lord and my God”. Amen.