Readings: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 117; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
Today is the first Sunday after Easter. It is a very significant day for every human being, for the Church, for the world, even for the souls of the Faithful Departed.
The Lord Jesus has a special plan for this day. He told St Maria Faustina that He desires that today be set aside to celebrate, venerate, embrace, receive and proclaim His mercy. In one of the revelations to St Faustina, Jesus told her:
“I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.
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.” (Diary 699)
Concerning the Feast of Mercy Jesus said:
“Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” (Diary 300)
“I want the image solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about it.” (Diary 341)
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, I would have really loved to share with us a message around learning from the early Church and reviewing our own parishes – their spirituality and climate.
However, I feel more strongly to reflect on “Blessed are those who do not see but believe.”
This was the statement of Jesus to Thomas after he refused the testimony of the other disciples who had seen Jesus. We do not want to blame Thomas here – sometimes it is wise to be careful about what we believe. The problem some of us have is that we can believe anything and everything. This makes us susceptible to deception.
Our focus today is on the statement of Jesus and what it means to us: “Blessed are those who do not see…”
What is the implication of this?
By this statement, Jesus is reminding us that our faith should not be based on what we see alone, or on our feelings or understanding. It should be based on Him, His Word, and the teaching of His Church, because whatever the Church teaches is revealed by Christ through the Holy Spirit.
I am sure, like many, some of us would have desired to see the bread and wine visibly turn into the Body and Blood of Christ. Some of us have perhaps prayed to see Our Blessed Mother like other visionaries. Some of us desire to hear God’s voice or to feel something supernatural. Some may wish to have a glimpse of heaven, or at least have someone return to confirm our faith, or perhaps even visit purgatory to be certain of its existence.
The truth is that this may not happen to many of us. But God has revealed what is true through the teaching of His Church.
Pure faith is not based on sight or feeling. It is based on trust in the One who has spoken. St. Paul reminds us: “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
So yes, you may not see bread and wine visibly turn into the Body and Blood; we may not have seen or heard Our Lady, we may not have been to heaven or heard from someone who has. We may not even feel anything when the words of absolution are pronounced. We may not experience goosebumps at Confirmation. There may not be a mighty wind on Pentecost Sunday. You may not feel God’s touch on your shoulder when you cry in the chapel. You may not feel His presence at Mass. You may not see clear signs that He has heard your prayers, when situations may remain the same despite your prayers.
But Jesus is saying to you today: “Blessed are those who do not see and yet believe.”
Those who believe what?
Those who believe that My words are true, that I am with them, that I answer their prayers, that I have forgiven them, that I am working even in the dark, and that as I have promised mercy today, I will fulfil My words.
Hebrews 11:1 tells us: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
In the Second Reading of today, St. Peter praises those who believe in Christ without seeing Him and who rejoice in the hope of an eternal inheritance, even though now they do not see or fully understand.
It is often said that seeing is believing, but true faith says believing is seeing, seeing with the eyes of faith.
My declaration:
Lord, I believe even when I do not see.
I believe even when I do not feel.
I believe even when I do not understand.
I believe even when my prayers seem unanswered.
I believe even when situations remain unchanged.
I believe that your Word is true.
I believe that You are with me.
I believe that You hear me.
I believe that You are working even in the darkness.
I believe in Your mercy.
I believe in Your promises.
I believe in you Lord, yes, I believe.
Amen.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on April 12, 2026.