Jn 20: 19-31
“Let our judgment of souls cease, for God’s mercy upon them is extraordinary.”(St. Faustina) As I pen down these lines, I am certainly sure that it is the divine mercy that makes me worthy to write about his infinite mercy. We all are invited to immerse ourselves in the ocean of divine mercy. The world is in need of Mercy. Only divine mercy can save the world. God does not want anyone to lose the gift of salvation. Often we are not aware of the merciful face of God; with our human standards, we tend to define God as a just judge who punishes the wicked and rewards the just. Jesus revealed the true nature of His Abba. His mercy surpasses His own justice. During the holy week, we have reflected a number of events wherein, Jesus became the face of God’s mercy. On the cross, Jesus extended the unconditional pardon to all his executioners. Again he accepted the good thief into his kingdom without any demands. If the justice could have been the basic nature of God then the above examples would have been different endings. But unfortunately, we lost the true spirit of the gospel and Jesus’ teachings about the merciful face of God who awaits each one of us to embrace into his bosom. Traditions and various kinds of literature presented God as a just judge than a Merciful Father.
Today’s gospel passage is an example of God’s boundless mercy. The risen Christ came in search of the disciples, especially Thomas. At times, we have judged Thomas as ‘doubting Thomas.’ It is true that he was very adamant upon experiencing the wounds of the Lord. Christ could have neglected this demand of Thomas. But divine mercy came for his assistance in order to empower his faith experience. Christ appeared to Thomas and exhorted him to experience his wounds. This invitation transformed Thomas as Christ’s passionate follower and the rest is history. As we celebrate the Divine Mercy Sunday today, let us allow ourselves to be touched by the divine mercy that we may not judge anyone and be transformed as apostles of divine mercy who reflects the merciful face of Christ.