The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
Jesus once said, “Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All the works of My hands are crowned with mercy!” (The Diary of St. Faustina §301)
St. Pope John Paul II named the second Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday during the celebration of St. Faustina Kowalska’s canonization Mass on this day in the year 2000 – what a providential gift to the universal Church! Several years ago, I had the great gift of traveling to Poland on pilgrimage to Kraków to pray before the original Divine Mercy image commissioned by St. Faustina in the convent chapel where she saw Jesus appear before her. Praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (at 3pm, with her sisters, in their convent!!) I have never felt so close to Heaven.
In today’s Gospel, we experience what it means to truly come close to Jesus. Thomas, putting his hand into the side of Christ, which just DAYS prior poured forth blood and water as a fount of mercy for us, is reconciled to Christ. Modeling the intimacy to which we are called, He is brought into communion – it is then that he has the courage to wholeheartedly accept the mercy being offered him… He recognizes Jesus for who He is. Love and Mercy Himself.
Have you ever wondered why the resurrected Jesus chose to keep the wounds of His passion for the world to see? This is how the Saints lived: with their eyes fixed on the transfigured face of Jesus. Their lives make His glorified wounds their own. They journeyed as we all do in the continual cycle of death and resurrection, knowing that even in glory, His wounds are still visible. His hands still pierced. It is as if to say: “You are pierced by your sin? So was I.”
If there is ever a moment you are tempted to think God is withholding something good from you, especially if you are in a season of waiting… take heart! And look at the crucifix. Gaze upon the image of His mercy and pray as often as you’re able: Jesus, I trust in You. Your brokenness, your wounds, the places you cannot yet fully entrust to Him… these are places in which we need His mercy the most. And He freely gives it, so that your wounds are made glorious in the light of His face. Do not be afraid of your brokenness, your littleness. Your poverty makes you who you are - Beautiful and Beloved His eyes! Wounded, yes - but glorious!
Laurie Medina is an alumna of the Echo Graduate Service program through the University of Notre Dame, where she received her M.A. in Theology. She recently moved to sunny SoCal from Texas to pursue licensure in Marriage & Family Therapy. She loves spending time outside, having heart conversations over coffee, and finding beauty in the holy ordinary. You can find her on Instagram.