So, why is this Sunday called Divine Mercy Sunday?Because Pope John Paul II saw in the visions of a Polish saint, Blessed Faustina, a message Jesus Christ wished the world to focus on more: His Divine Mercy.
His Mercy is powerfully shown in Sunday's Gospel as the newly-risen Savior appears to those who had betrayed Him, those who in weakness had run far away from the soldiers and from the mock trials -- and from their Master in His three-hour agony and death.
As Jesus came through those locked doors where they had huddled in fear of arrest, He did not upbraid or condemn them, but said with loving compassion, "Peace to to You." He forgave them for their weakness, their cowardice, and their sinfulness. He continued to heal them of their doubts and the fears.
Secondly, he did not fire them from their ministry, but commissioned them to preach His Name to the ends of the earth. He restored His trust in them, and loved them even more. He would eventually send His Spirit to strengthen them with His Divine Power.
As Jesus showed His Divine mercy to His apostles on this Sunday, the Church urges us this Sunday to show our gratitude and belief in His never-failing forgiveness for our sins and betrayals of His love.
Jesus urges us to pray often for a world that has abandoned His commandments, ignored His words, shunned His healing, and rejected His love. We need to imitate God's mercy by our daily prayer and speaking out on their behalf, to our own government.
Our Easter joy continues during these weeks after Easter as we prepare ourselves in prayer with Mary for a further "confirmation" of His gifts this Pentecost.
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