Readings for Sunday April 11, 2010

Second Sunday of Easter -- Divine Mercy Sunday

1st Reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, 5; 12-16
The Apostles Miracles and Wonders

Hoping to be touched by Peter's shadow, people came from all over... the sick ones were placed on cots and mats on the side of the road... They all believed that something so simple as Peter's shadow over them, would heal their sick bodies and cast the evil spirits away.

How many times have we been in a similar situation? When the simplest act of mercy from others means the world to us? Even the luckiest person has been there... Yes, we all have -at least once in our lives- been to the DMV Office, needing to past the written or the driving test, and there we are standing in line, waiting for our number to come up... Hoping and praying that the person who will be taking care of us, that human body behind the counter, be fair to us; we don't ask for much, only that he or she is able to feel empathy for the mere applicant who is there to fulfill a requirement... We hope that the person on the other side of the counter is not in a bad mood... We hope for a bit of mercy...

Small acts of mercy make life worthwhile... For the sick ones waiting to be touched by Peter's shadow; for the single mom at the car shop waiting to hear how expensive the car repair will be; for the student who barely made the grade... For all of them and for so many more, the difference between a good and a bad day rests in a small act of mercy from a fellow human being... At the car shop, the single mom prays for the mechanic's honesty, in the classroom the student prays for the teacher's leeway...

The apostles learned their behavior towards others from Jesus, and they treated their brothers and sisters imitating Jesus' ways... As Christians we must do the same, imitate the apostle's ways because in doing so we are imitating Jesus' example.

Let us put this to practice today, and for the rest of our lives: treating our brothers and sisters as we would want to be treated. In doing small acts of mercy for others, just by being kind, we become the image of Jesus and we help to turn the world around. Our brothers and sisters not only will have a better day themselves, but it is very likely that they in turn will be as kind and merciful to the next person whom the cross paths with. Small acts of mercy can actually change the world, and the best thing of it is that, with every little act of mercy, our Lord's smile shines brightly over us.

L ++++ O ++++ V ++++ E ++++ J ++++ E ++++ S ++++ U ++++ S

2nd Reading from the Book of Revelations, 1: 9-19
"Don't be afraid!", says the Lord to John, "I am the first and the last. I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever."

This first chapter of the Book of Revelations is where God introduces John to the future and the messages for the Christian's future. It comes with specific instructions to write and report everything that will be revealed to John.

Despite the painful images revealed throughout this Book, God blesses those privy to its pages, saying, "Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book!"

When God speaks, we need to listen. He does not waste his time speaking in tongues to us; he addresses us straight and full frontal with the important issues. He is clear in his instructions for us, as to what we need to do in order to be able to partake with him of the blessed heavenly feast. All we have to do is pay attention and follow his instructions... Remember, they are clear!

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The Gospel according to John, 20: 19-31
"Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed!"

The Gospel brings us to the night when Jesus appears to eleven apostles. Thomas is not present. Afterwards, when they share the news with Thomas, Thomas is unable to believe uttering, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

So Jesus grants Thomas his wish and a week later Jesus appears one more time and offers to Thomas to put his finger as he had said he would do in order to believe...

We all now the rest of the story. Have we learned from it? We don't need to test God. We need to respect him, to love him, to believe in him. That is the key to Kingdom of Heaven. We have faith in the mysteries of our faith, we believe in Mary's immaculate conception, in the angels appearing and giving instructions; we believe in Moses parting the sea, and in Jesus' miracles and his resurrection on the third day. We do not need evidence, and for this, God loves us even more.

Let us share the good news of our faith in God with everyone hungry for the Holy Spirit!