The apparitions, which are some manifestations postresurrection, marked a very important moment in the revelation of Christ Jesus, the Risen Lord. Today’s Gospel brought to our attention some activities and the commotion that happened on that Sunday evening, the day of the resurrection. I am guessing it was an overwhelming afternoon, dominated by the extraordinary story of the resurrection of the crucified man of Nazareth. A story that has been perfectly recounted, first by the women and second by the group of the disciples, as Jesus kept making himself visible to them by this unbelievable series of apparitions. This is the story that has reshaped the lives of the Apostles after this tragic experience of the crucifixion.
This second Sunday of Easter is highlighted by the experience of the group of disciples, when they hear the voice of their Master who shows up unexpectedly at the place where they had been hiding out of fear for their lives. They were graced by the gift of Jesus’ peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. His apparition to the disciples on that specific evening has been highlighted by two great signs. First: His presence, He was in their midst when they needed it the most. When everything seemed to be over for the disciples, when they were tormented by fear, discouragement, and desolation, Jesus came and made them taste the beauty and the importance of the ministry of presence. And second: his greetings were kind of interesting: “Peace be with you”. Also, alongside the greetings, he showed them his hands and his sides, which was a certain demonstration that was kind of necessary to alleviate any doubts, any suspicions. John’s narrative here prioritized to answer the questions of the women: “Where did they put Him?” Don’t be mistaken, the demonstration is to precisely assure them that the risen Lord is truly the crucified one.
Another aspect of this apparition is the commissioning of the disciples. They have been sent out to represent Jesus with a very specific mission to keep mercy flowing in the life of the community. Mercy is the name of God. Mercy is the central part of the revelation and the ministry of Jesus. The church invites us to make mercy part of the paschal activities. What we are experiencing on Easter is the joy of knowing that we are forgiven. We are forgiven by a God who always showed his compassion to us sinners, though very often we might go astray, but his mercy will bring us back to Him. What a beauty for my life to know that in Jesus the Risen Lord, God has mercy on me again. This second Sunday of Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday; let us be very conscious about the necessity for our souls to experience the mercy of God. We all need his mercy. Remember, his mercy endures forever.
This Easter season is the time to look at what matters to us. Is it better to keep hiding or to step forward and walk the path of the Risen Lord? Or is it better to keep complaining about the cross and get stuck on Good Friday, or to seize the moment of the early Sunday morning where the light of joy overcomes the fear, and the struggle of our lives? Is it better for you to get trapped by discouragement and sadness and leave your community of brothers and sisters, or to keep fighting with them for a better way out? So, what matters for us, Jesus put it very clearly for Thomas when he said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”. What really matters for me today is to believe, though without seeing, and to be able to be loved by God despite my own unworthiness.
