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From Fear to Faith,

From Wounds to Mercy

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Today, on the Second Sunday of Easter—Divine Mercy Sunday—we stand in the glow of the Resurrection, and yet we find the disciples behind locked doors.

Yes, Jesus is risen.

But the disciples are still hiding.

That sounds familiar, doesn’t it? We believe. And yet, sometimes we hide too—behind fear, doubt, shame, or wounds we haven’t let heal.

 

But here’s the good news of today’s Gospel:

Jesus walks through locked doors.
And He comes not with judgment… but with peace.

1. Peace in the Midst of Fear

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“Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)

This is the first gift of the Risen Christ—peace.
Not a peace that comes from having all the answers or perfect circumstances, but peace that comes from knowing He is alive and He is with us.

The disciples are not asked to prove anything. Jesus simply shows up, scars and all.

This is a word for us. He comes into our fears. Into our locked hearts. Into the rooms where we hide.
And His first words are not, “Why did you run away?” but “Peace be with you.”

2. Mercy Through Wounds

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Notice: Jesus doesn’t hide His wounds.

“He showed them His hands and His side.” (John 20:20)

Why?

Because His wounds are not signs of defeat—they are signs of love.
They are now fountains of mercy.

Today we celebrate Divine Mercy—the heart of God laid bare for us.
St. Faustina saw rays of red and white flowing from the heart of Jesus—a reminder of the blood and water that flowed from His pierced side.

 

His mercy is not abstract. It is personal, wounded, glorious, and eternal.

3. Thomas: The Honest Doubter

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Poor Thomas. Forever remembered as “Doubting Thomas.”
But really, Thomas is the honest one. He wants to touch, to see, to believe deeply.

And what does Jesus do?

He meets him where he is. He invites him:

“Put your finger here… see my hands.”

Jesus doesn’t shame him. He guides him from doubt to worship.
And Thomas proclaims: “My Lord and my God!”—the highest confession of faith in the Gospel.

Maybe some of us are more like Thomas than we care to admit.
And that’s okay. Because Divine Mercy is not for the perfect—it’s for the wounded, doubting, and searching.

4. Mercy for the Mission

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“As the Father has sent me, so I send you… Receive the Holy Spirit… If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” (John 20:21–23)

The Risen Christ entrusts the apostles—and us—with His mission of mercy.
We are not just receivers of mercy—we are called to become its messengers.

That means forgiving others.
That means bringing hope to the despairing.
That means living lives that say: “You are loved. You are not beyond God’s mercy.”

Conclusion: Trust in His Mercy

The message of Divine Mercy is simple but life-changing:

“Jesus, I trust in You.”

Not: “I have it all figured out.”
Not: “I’m never afraid again.”
But: I trust You—especially when I don’t understand. Especially when I’ve failed. Especially when I’m wounded.

So today, whether you're behind locked doors, struggling with doubt, or in need of forgiveness…

Let the Risen Christ step in.
Let Him say again, “Peace be with you.”
Let His mercy flow into your heart.
And go out to share it.

Because His mercy endures forever.
And it is stronger than death.

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