The second Sunday of Resurrection is celebrated as the feast of the divine mercy of God. This feast was instituted by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000 on the occasion of the beatification of Sr.Faustina from Poland. The basis for this feast is a vision of Sr. Faustina on the merciful Christ.
The Gospel reading on this Sunday is about the appearance of the risen Christ to the desciples who remained in the closed rooms out of their fear of the Jews who crucified Christ. Jesus showed his hands and chest which was severely wounded through the crucifixion as proof for his identity. At the time of his appearance after resurrection Jesus wished them: “Pease be with you!” This time he gave them the instruction to preach the good news everywhere. As assistance he promised the Holy Spirit and gave them the power to forgive the sins which actually only God can do.
All these are peculiar, unique and difficult to believe to those who have not experienced it direct. But the disciples of Jesus felt themselves immediately courageous and strong. They began to proclaim what they saw, heard and experienced in their hearts. The substance of their proclamation was peace which the risen Lord had wished them.
Jesus wishes this peace in every Eucharistic celebration to each and every one of us and to every human of this earth. Today many people in different regions of the world suffer under the lack of peace and many are threatened of war. The situation in Ukraine for the last two years is only one of the examples. When we experience the huge number of Pilgers in different centres of Christianity like that of Malayattoor or Rom on this Sunday we are convinced that the message of peace wished by the risen Jesus gives hope to many thousands of people today.
Besides we have to take serious the mandate and command of Jesus to proclaim the good news every where because there are many who do not believe in the message of peace and work of love and many who leave the faith in the Church and leave Christianity. In this context we need people with enthusiasm, fidelity and courage and the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Apostle Thomas is a model for us in this regard. He was not the unbelieving Thomas; but the one who was ready to die with Jesus.
Apostle Thomas wanted to meet the risen Lord personally like his fellow disciples of Jesus. Perhaps he was disappointed to know that the risen Lord appeared to all other Apostles other than he himself. The appearance of the risen Lord strengthened his readiness to live for Jesus and his message. It resulted in his travel to the remotest distance to preach the good news to the people in comparison with the mission of other Apostles namely Apostle Thomas traveled to India to preach the Gospel where he died as a martyr.
By observing the life of Jesus and his disciples we are convinced that they all worked for establishing Peace. But many of them were persecuted and died as martyr. This is not a past history but a present reality. There are many missionaries of Christ like the Apostle Thomas who preach the good news and establish peace among the people, but had to surrender their life. Let us remember all missionaries in different continents and pray for them and thank them for their witness like that of Apostle Thomas.
Fr. Joseph Pandiappallil MCBS