2025/04/27 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Second Sunday of Easter
- Jay Wagner-Yau, Chapel Choir Director
The Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday, invites us into the heart of the Easter mystery—a time of profound renewal, trust, and the boundless mercy of God. The readings for this Sunday are rich in themes of community, faith, and divine compassion, all of which culminate in a deeper understanding of the risen Christ and His enduring presence in our lives.
The first reading from the *Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:32-35)* presents an inspiring image of the early Christian community: “The community of believers was of one heart and mind.” This unity was not just emotional or ideological but manifested tangibly in their way of life. They shared everything they had, and “there was no needy person among them.” This radical sense of fellowship and self-giving love reflects the transformative power of the Resurrection. Christ’s victory over death was not a private event—it became the foundation of a new way of living, centered on charity and communion. For us today, this reading is a powerful reminder that the Resurrection calls us to live in solidarity, generosity, and mercy.
The Responsorial Psalm (*Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24*) continues this theme with the refrain: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love is everlasting.” This echoes the joy and gratitude of a people who have experienced God’s saving power. The psalm speaks of the Lord’s steadfast love and the stone rejected by the builders becoming the cornerstone—a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. It encourages us to see God’s hand in moments of rejection or suffering, trusting that His mercy can transform even the darkest situations.
The second reading from *1 John 5:1-6* ties belief in Jesus to our love for one another. “Everyone who loves the father loves also the one begotten by him.” This passage emphasizes that faith is not merely about intellectual assent but about active love. Love is the fruit of belief, and belief overcomes the world—not by dominance, but through the mercy and truth revealed in Christ. In the waters of Baptism and the blood of the Cross, we encounter the source of this mercy, which continues to cleanse and strengthen us.
The Gospel reading from *John 20:19-31* brings us to the heart of Divine Mercy Sunday. Jesus appears to the disciples who are locked in a room out of fear. His first words are, “Peace be with you.” In showing them His wounds, He does not scold or rebuke but reassures them. Then, significantly, He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.” This moment institutes the sacrament of Reconciliation—a direct outpouring of divine mercy through the Church.
The figure of Thomas also takes center stage. Often remembered as “doubting Thomas,” his story is not so much about skepticism as it is about the desire for personal encounter. Jesus does not shame him but meets him where he is, inviting him to touch His wounds. In this vulnerable moment, Thomas responds with the deepest confession of faith in the Gospels: “My Lord and my God.” Jesus’ response—“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”—extends this blessing to all of us today. We may not see Jesus in the flesh, but through the sacraments, the Word, and the community, we encounter Him truly.
On Divine Mercy Sunday, we are reminded that God's mercy is not abstract—it is personal, incarnate, and healing. We are called not only to receive mercy but to extend it: through forgiveness, compassion, and solidarity with those who suffer. The risen Christ stands before us, wounded yet glorified, offering peace and mercy beyond understanding.
As we reflect on these readings, may we echo the prayer inscribed in the Divine Mercy image: "Jesus, I trust in You.”
“Eternal Father, I offer you the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in a atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One have mercy on us, and on the whole world.”
—The Divine Mercy Chaplet