Readings: Acts 5:12–16; Psalm 118; Revelation 1:9–13, 17–19; John 20:19–31
Grace and peace to you, dear brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Today, the first Sunday after Easter, has traditionally been called “Low Sunday” because it follows the greatest of all Sundays—Easter Sunday. But on May 5, 2000, during the Jubilee Year, Pope St. John Paul II officially designated this Sunday as Divine Mercy Sunday, fulfilling the request made by Our Lord through St. Faustina Kowalska.
This feast flows directly from the heart of Easter. It reminds us that the Resurrection of Jesus is not just a triumph of power—it is a triumph of mercy.
Why This Feast?
In her Diary, Jesus revealed to St. Faustina:
“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…” (Diary, 699).
Today, the Lord promises to open for each of us the fount of mercy, if only we draw near in faith. Let us come to Him and receive the mercy He so freely offers.
As we reflect on today’s Gospel and the meaning of Divine Mercy, I want to share three key messages with you:
I. “Peace be with you”
In the Gospel (John 20:19–31), the disciples are locked away—paralysed by fear, guilt, shame, and confusion. They had abandoned Jesus. And yet, when He appears, His first words are not of blame, but of mercy: “Peace be with you.”
He shows them His hands and His side—not to shame them, but to affirm His identity and His love. He breathes the Holy Spirit upon them and entrusts them with the ministry of forgiveness. Having been shown mercy themselves, they can appreciate the power of forgiveness better. This is the foundation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
This teaches us that Jesus always comes to us with peace, especially when we are burdened by fear, guilt, doubt, grief, or sin. And He calls us to do the same: to be ambassadors of peace in our families, communities, workplaces, and Churches.
In Luke 10:5, Jesus says that wherever we enter, our first word must be “peace” and in Matthew 5:9, He declares: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
The question is, “Are we bearers of peace in a world filled with division, gossip, anger, and bitterness?
II. The Rays of Mercy
In the Image of Divine Mercy, two rays—red and white—flow from the heart of Jesus. The white ray symbolises the cleansing waters of Baptism and the red, the life-giving Blood of the Eucharist.
These rays symbolise love, forgiveness, compassion, and mercy flowing from the pierced heart of Jesus.
Jesus was wounded—but what flowed from His wounds was life.
What flows from our hearts when we are wounded? Is it peace and forgiveness—or resentment and anger?
In Diary entry 742, Jesus told St. Faustina:
“Be merciful, just as I am merciful. Love everyone out of love for Me… If a soul does not exercise mercy in some way, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment.”
Let us ask the Lord to heal our wounds, so that what flows from our hearts—no matter how pierced—may be rays of mercy to others.
Divine Mercy, as Pope John Paul II said, is not just a devotion. It is a way of life, an invitation to receive mercy, show mercy, and become witnesses of mercy.
III. “Jesus, I Trust in You”
At the bottom of the Divine Mercy image are the words: “Jesus, I trust in You.” They are more than a motto; they are a way of living.
In Diary 1578, Jesus says:
“The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is—trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive.”
When we say, “Jesus, I trust in You,” we place our lives, our hopes, our wounds, and our weaknesses, into His merciful hands.
So dear friends, when you are discouraged or feel disappointed, overwhelmed, or spiritually dry, when life seems uncertain, and you don’t know what else to pray, just whisper these words:
“Jesus, I trust in You.”
Say it in your pain. Say it in your silence. Say it when your heart is broken. Say it until your soul is at peace.
Conclusion
Today, let us open our hearts to Divine Mercy. Let us receive peace, extend mercy, and deepen our trust in Jesus. And may we always live by these powerful words, not just today, but every day: Jesus, I trust in You.
Amen.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on April 27, 2025