Second Sunday of Easter ‘C’

This Sunday's readings focus on God's mercy, the importance of trusting faith, and the need for forgiveness.

In the Responsorial Psalm, we affirm multiple times, “His mercy endures forever!” (Ps 118). God’s mercy is most clearly shown through the sending of His Son, our Savior and Lord, whose suffering, death, and Resurrection offer salvation. Divine Mercy is also present in every celebration of the Sacraments.

The First Reading highlights how the Risen Lord continued to demonstrate His mercy through the apostles' healing and preaching. Their faith enabled them to share the Lord’s healing love through “signs and wonders.”

The Second Reading, from the Book of Revelation, comforts and strengthens persecuted Christians by assuring them of the Lord’s merciful presence. It encourages us to combat fear with faith and face the future with trust and hope.

Today’s Gospel illustrates how Jesus established the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a Sacrament of Divine Mercy. He empowered the apostles to forgive sins with the words, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" (Jn 20:19-23). The story of doubting Thomas underscores Jesus’ mercy and highlights the importance of faith through Thomas’ proclamation, “My Lord and my God.”

We are invited to embrace and practice God’s mercy. The Church celebrates this through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Practicing mercy in daily life, through corporal and spiritual works of mercy, helps us receive God’s merciful judgment.

Let us ask for the faith that leads to self-surrender and inspires us to serve others with love. Living faith helps us see the Risen Lord in everyone and motivates us to offer loving service.