Second Sunday of Easter – Sunday of Divine Mercy

Where Do We Find Ourselves in the Gospel?

There is a detail in today’s Gospel that has always intrigued me. The disciples have heard the testimony of Mary Magdalene. Peter and John have seen the empty tomb. And yet—they are still behind locked doors. They knew the tomb was empty, but they were still hiding behind locked doors.

And that makes me wonder: Was it really so difficult for Thomas to believe? After all, if the others had truly encountered the risen Christ, why were they still afraid? Why were they still in hiding? Perhaps Thomas wasn’t the only one struggling. Perhaps he simply gave voice to what they were all feeling. And maybe—if we’re honest—he gives voice to us as well.

Because the real question of today’s Gospel is this: Where do we find ourselves? Are we behind locked doors, held back by fear, uncertainty, or doubt? Are we standing with Thomas, longing for reassurance? Or are we ready to fall to our knees and proclaim, “My Lord and my God!”

Into that fear, Jesus comes. He does not break down the door. He does not scold them for their lack of faith. Instead, He stands among them and says, “Peace be with you.” These are the first words of the risen Christ—words not of judgment, but of mercy. He shows them His wounds; the marks of His suffering become the proof of His love.

When He returns for Thomas, He offers not condemnation, but compassion: “Put your finger here… Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas responds with the most profound profession of faith in the Gospel: “My Lord and my God!”

This is why the Church celebrates today as Divine Mercy Sunday. The Resurrection is not only about Christ conquering death—it is about Christ pouring out mercy upon a fearful and wounded world. His words are meant for us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” That’s us. We have not seen Him with our eyes, but we encounter Him in His Word, in His Church, and most profoundly in the Eucharist.

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear what happens when people truly believe in the Resurrection: “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.” That is the Church. That is who we are called to be.

Today, we are witnessing something remarkable—an increase in the number of people entering the Catholic Church. Across our nation and throughout the world, hearts are being drawn to Christ and to His Church. Their presence raises an important question for us: If they are finding their way into the Church, are we fully living the faith they are seeking?

They are searching for Jesus—present in the Eucharist, alive in His Word, and visible in the love of His people. Their “yes” is not only a cause for celebration; it is also an invitation for renewal. Their faith challenges us to rediscover our own.

Saint Peter reminds us in the second reading, “Although you have not seen Him, you love Him… you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.” This is the heart of Easter faith.

So where do we find ourselves in this Gospel? Behind locked doors? Standing beside Thomas? Or kneeling before Christ in faith? Wherever we are, the good news is this: Jesus comes to us anyway. He enters our fears, meets us in our doubts, offers us His mercy, and speaks to us the same words He spoke to the disciples: “Peace be with you.”

And when we encounter Him—truly encounter Him—there is only one response left: “My Lord and my God.”

May that be our prayer today, and may our lives proclaim it every day.