St. Thomas and St. Faustina show us two paths to believing
by Sister Rose Jochmann
On this Second Sunday of Easter we continue our celebration. We hear the familiar Gospel about Thomas who will not believe that Jesus has risen until he can “see the mark of the nails in Jesus’ hands.” (John 20: 25) We, too, are asked to believe in the Risen Lord without seeing Him. We are asked to believe in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist under the form of bread and wine. We are asked to believe that Christ lives with us: in ourselves and in each person we meet. We trust in these words of Jesus, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20: 29)
About 20 years ago, Pope John Paul II designated the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. He did so on the day the Polish nun St. Faustina Kowalska was canonized. The image that represents Divine Mercy comes from the devotion initiated by St. Faustina. In the Divine Mercy image, Jesus is depicted as the risen and glorious Lord. According to St, Faustina, “the two rays from the heart of Jesus represent the blood and the water.” The blood recalls Christ’s passion. The water represents our Baptism. Both symbols are very appropriate for this Easter season.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, we plead for mercy -- mercy for those afflicted with the virus, mercy for those who have died, mercy for those who are suffering financially from the pandemic. Let this be our prayer today, “My Jesus, mercy!”
Jesus' Mercy and compassion to all those suffering and grieving. Surround us, Lord, with your love.