Apostle of Mercy
We continue to journey through the season of Easter on this Second Sunday of Easter, which is also called Divine Mercy Sunday. St. Pope John Paul II declared it as such in line with what Our Lord said in a vision to St. Faustina. Our Lord said, as indicated in her diary, "The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is my desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the fount of My mercy." This celebration focuses on the gift of mercy and love given through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. As Pope John Paul II stated, "Divine Mercy reaches human beings through the heart of Christ crucified." As we rest our hearts on the ocean of mercy of our Lord, let us learn from the disciples of Christ, the first witnesses of His Divine Mercy, on how to devote oneself to Him in order to fully live in accordance with His will. Let our first reading be our focus on this reflection. Thus, the disciples devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the breaking of bread, and praying as one community.
The first is the teaching of the apostles. Followers of Christ follow what is of Christ, that is, the truth. Seeing what is true sets us free. St. Paul exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God" (Romans 12:2). This renewal involves our whole being, that is, forming our minds and hearts to the truth. Setting our priorities right will help us do what is pleasing to God and not of the world, because pleasing people may make you lose yourself.
The second is the breaking of bread. This pertains to the sacraments. In the sacraments, we receive the infinite mercy and love of God. This is where we can receive grace. As disciples of Christ, the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist will kindle in us the fire of discipleship. The sacrament of reconciliation heals our wounds, that is, the sin that we committed. And the Eucharist will flow from it, inspiring and nurturing our Christian life because it is Jesus Himself. Thus, through confession, we renew our encounter with Jesus beyond just being forgiven. And in the Eucharist, we renew our zeal for discipleship.
The third is praying as one community. In praying, we cultivate our interior life; we allow Jesus to radiate us and be filled with His presence so that we too may share His presence with the people we encounter. It fosters a sense of unity and fellowship among believers. When we pray together, we share in each other's joys and sorrows and offer support and encouragement to one another. This strengthens our bonds as a community and reinforces our commitment to each other.
Thus, teaching, breaking of bread, and praying will lead us to true Christian living. As an apostle of the Divine Mercy, we journey together as we encounter Jesus with the people around us. It's in trials and difficulties that Jesus calls us to love. We learn from the gospel to allow Jesus to heal our wounded soul. Don’t hide it; let it be healed by Jesus’ reassuring word: Peace be with you.
