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 2nd Sunday of Easter, Yr C (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY): Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: The Characteristics of a Community whose Christ is Risen.

Readings: Acts 5:12-16; Rev 1:9-11a,12-13,17-19; Jn 20:19-31

Dear friends, the Church invites us to embrace the qualities of a community that reflects the resurrection of Christ. She encourages us to evolve into a community that embodies forgiveness, love, and care for one another.

Before Christ's death and resurrection, His disciples were much like anyone else, grappling with their own desires and competing for status among themselves. However, the resurrection brought about a profound change in them, transforming them into a model community that inspired admiration from others. Today's first reading reveals how the disciples began to live in harmony in Solomon’s Portico, marked by peace, love, mutual support, and selflessness. They performed many miracles and attracted more people to their fold. The first reading stated, “Many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Portico… the people held them in high honour. And more than ever, believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.” We can say that the disciples allowed the power of Christ’s resurrection and the peace offered in today's gospel to transform their lives.

Dear brothers and sisters, as we rejoice in the resurrection of Christ and embrace the peace He has bestowed upon us in today’s gospel, we must reflect on our Christian communities, families, and personal lives. It is evident that we often do not embody the virtues that characterized the early Christian community and the disciples. What could be hindering us? Why do we still witness hatred, injustice, and a lack of compassion for those in need within our communities? Why do our families and relationships still fail to reflect the light of Christ's resurrection? Why do we struggle to cultivate peace, love, and forgiveness in our relationships even when our Christ has risen? Why is our life not drawing others closer to Christ? Why do we continue to live as if Christ has not resurrected?

Today, the Church celebrates the Divine Mercy. As we reflect on God's mercy, the Church tells that the reason why our communities, families, and personal lives often lack the qualities of a community whose Christ has risen is largely because of our inability to follow God's example of mercy, forgiveness and justice. Without forgiveness and mercy, we cannot achieve lasting peace and love. A community devoid of these virtues cannot genuinely be considered Christian.

Our God is a God of mercy, who loved us even in our sinfulness and forgave us unconditionally. He corrects with love, without condemning those who err. However, it seems that many still find it challenging to embrace God's way of dealing with wrongdoers, which is rooted in mercy; instead, they often resort to revenge for the wrongs committed against them, reminiscent of the attitude expressed in Genesis 4:23-24, which said, “I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.”

Christ has blessed u with peace in today’s gospel, but to truly embody the peace of Christ within our communities, families, and relationships, we must love and forgive as God does. Jesus illustrated God's mercy through his teachings, particularly in the parable of the prodigal son, where God is depicted as a Father who eagerly welcomes back his wayward son, offering forgiveness and restoration. This challenges us to reach out to those who have wronged us, to forgive them, and to mend our relationships rather than taking revenge or waiting for them to come begging for our forgiveness. Additionally, in the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus emphasizes that God's desire is for us to forgive unconditionally. God forgives without giving conditions.

Dear friends, true peace cannot flourish without forgiveness; it cannot flourish where there is no mercy. Our community will struggle to be harmonious and loving if we do not extend forgiveness to one another. Let's lead by example, showing the world how to love and forgive, starting with our families and Christian communities. Together, we can transform our Christian communities, families, and relationships into havens of love, compassion, and mutual support. By embodying the teachings of the risen Christ, we can create environments that radiate peace, love, and mutual assistance, and be able to draw others to Christ just as the early Christians did.

Happy Sunday of Divine Mercy

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima