Deacon Tom Writes
“Peace Be With You!”
Today on the Octave of Easter we celebrate Divine
Mercy Sunday. It is the eighth day after Jesus’ triumphant victory over death,
the reason for our wholehearted joy today. It is fitting for us to reflect on
God’s unconditional and constant love for us on this day set aside in honor the
Divine Mercy for it is through God’s Mercy we were redeemed by the sacrifice
of Jesus on the Cross.
We read today about the life of Jesus’ Apostles and
the early days of the church. They weren’t looking to establish a religion to
rival their Jewish faith. They had no such grandiose plans to create a massive
organization. What they wanted to do was spread the word about all they had
seen and heard. They had to keep Jesus’ story alive. And, to this end they were
very successful, as we read today, “…the
people esteemed them” as they worked signs and wonders among them. The
Apostles were sharing the powers that they had received from the Holy Spirit, “On the evening of that first day of the
week”. Enlivened by the Holy Spirit they left the room they had locked
themselves in and fearlessly began to proclaim the Gospel, the Good News that
God’s reign had begun. And the people were eager to hear that Good News, for
not only were “…great numbers of men and
woman were added to them”, but also, “…the
sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits … were all cured”. And so it
began!
Today we ask ourselves in what ways God has shown us
his mercy and reflect on the many ways God’s Mercy has touched our lives. We
may recall the words with which Jesus greeted His Apostles as we begin our
contemplation, “Peace be with you”. It
is so fitting for us to call to mind the peace of Christ for most of are desperate for God’s peace, a peace the
world cannot give. In the shadow of the Christ’s rising from the dead all
Christians desire to be filled with his gentle spirit and humble heart. After
all, we’re no different than those people who heard the Apostles and followed
them. They were looking for inner peace within themselves, peace in their
families and neighbors, and in the world around them; they too were eager to
ease their troubled hearts and be connected with inner peace of the risen Lord.
Don’t we all?
As we bask in these “Glory Days” of Easter, let’s
strive to find little ways to bring God’s peace into our lives and the lives of
our family and friends around us. Because we have experienced God’s love and
mercy, let’s pass it on to those who may be carrying heavy burdens or who may
be getting beaten down by the challenges they face so they too may experience
the precious Gift of God’s peace, one single facet of the infinite Mercy God
desires to share with all his children.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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