Readings reveal the Lord’s incredible love for each one of us
Reflections on the readings for the Second Sunday of Easter – Divine Mercy Sunday (April 11, 2021): ACTS 4:32-35; PS 118:2-4,13-15,22-24; 1 JN 5:1-6; JN 20:19-31
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
By acknowledging both the divinity and the humanity of Jesus and entrusting ourselves to the Blessed Trinity, we reveal ourselves as true children of God.
On this Sunday following Easter, we celebrate by recognizing the many graces and blessings we have been given through Christ our Savior, the Son of the Eternal Father. In the first letter of St. John, we are reminded of God’s love for us and that He expects us to return His love and to do what He asks of us. “We know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey His commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith” (1 John 5:2-4). Just as we love the Father, we must love and accept His Beloved Son and the Holy Spirit. By acknowledging both the divinity and the humanity of Jesus and entrusting ourselves to the Blessed Trinity, we reveal ourselves as true children of God. We look back at that time after Christ’s Resurrection when the Apostles were still coming to grips with all He was revealing about Himself, about His relationship with them and with all who believe in Him. In the readings for today we see our Lord’s incredible love for each one of us.
This Second Sunday of Easter also honors the Divine Mercy. At the direction of Pope St. John Paul II the feast was first celebrated 20 years ago. This devotion venerates the compassion of Christ expressed through the blood and water that flowed from His pierced side after His death on the cross. A prayer from St. Faustina Kowalska who experienced revelations from Jesus about the Divine Mercy speaks of His loving gift and His desire for us to share it with others: “O Lord, I want to be completely transformed into your mercy and to be your living reflection. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor.” We can take time each day to pray to the Divine Mercy for ourselves, our loved ones, and all our sisters and brothers, especially those in greatest need, whether physically or spiritually.
