Trust in the Risen Christ's presence
by Sister Rose Jochmann
On this Second Sunday of Easter, we continue our celebration of Easter. We hear the familiar Gospel about Thomas who will not believe that Jesus has risen until he can “see the mark of the nails in Jesus’ hands.” (John 20:25) We, too, are asked to believe in the Risen Lord without seeing him. We are asked to believe in the presence of the Risen Christ in the Eucharist when we are not able to see Him. We trust in the words of Jesus, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20: 29)
Twenty-four years ago, Pope St. John Paul II designated the Second Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. He did so on the day the Polish nun, St. Faustina Kowalska, was canonized. The image that represents Divine Mercy comes from the devotion initiated by St. Faustina. In the Divine Mercy image, Jesus is depicted as the risen and glorious Lord. According to St. Faustina, “the two rays from the heart of Jesus represent the blood and the water.” The blood recalls Christ’s passion. The water represents our Baptism. Both symbols are very appropriate for this Easter season.
This quote of Pope Francis is very fitting for today: “Jesus is risen, there is hope for you, you are no longer in the power of sin, of evil! The mercy of God always triumphs!”
How reassuring to know that God's mercy is always there for us. Thanks, Rose, for your insights and the example of your life!