2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy)

 The Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, is the completion of the Easter Octave. Just as at Christmastide the solemnity of Mary Mother of God deepens the theological insight of Christmas and the implications of the Incarnation so too Divine Mercy shows forth the implications of the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Resurrection reveals irrevocably and definitively the merciful nature of our God. The human race, with the crucifixion, repudiated the love of its heavenly Father and like the younger son in the parable of the Prodigal Son faced the prospect of eternal disgrace. Divine Mercy shows us that instead of yielding condemnation the resurrection brought forth, from the side of Christ, an outpouring of mercy sufficient the heal and safe the whole of the world. The gates of paradise slammed shut behind the First Adam are opened joyously by the Second. The twin streams of blood and water, which speak to us of Baptism and Holy Eucharist, indicate the means by which we have this mercy mediated to us. Let us, as missionary disciples, be eager to intentionally share the Good News of this Mercy both in our words and our actions.