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his Sunday concludes the octave (eight days) of Easter. Each and every one of these days was just like last Sunday: days of great joy in commemoration of Christ’s Resurrection and in knowing that resurrection awaits us. Death has been conquered. We are free from bondage to sin. There is no reason to fear the Devil or his minions.
When Jesus appeared to his Apostles after the Resurrection, Thomas was not present. We can imagine that the Apostles tried to convince Thomas in a thousand different ways that they had seen Jesus, been in his presence and talked with Him. Yet, Thomas remained obstinate and would not believe them.
The situation is similar with us. For many people Christ is dead because He hardly means a thing to them. Our faith in the risen Lord compels us to tell those people in a thousand different ways that Christ is alive and that He gives meaning to our lives. Of course, St. Thomas had the advantage of later encountering Jesus who invited him to put his finger in His nail wounds and his hand in His spear wound. Today, unbelievers do not have this privilege. But, our hands are Our Lord’s hands; our voice is His today. When we make the truth known, we are like the first Christians who are mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles: “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.” (Acts 5:14)
The conclusion of the Easter Octave is also Divine Mercy Sunday. Our Lord, in his desire that the world know his mercy, asked St. Faustina to promote the Mercy Chaplet. Also, He wanted everyone to know that whoever goes to Confession, receives Holy Communion worthily and prays this chaplet will receive total remission of sins. So much does God love us and wants our salvation.
Let no one be afraid or hesitant to approach our merciful God no matter how unworthy they think they are. He is always patiently waiting for you.
Father Stanley
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