The various ways of the Mercy of Jesus

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season : 2nd Sunday*

*GOSPEL - Jn 20:19-31*

*First Reading - Acts 4:32-35*

*SECOND READING - 1 Jn 5:1-6*

*The various ways of the Mercy of Jesus*

*1) Peace be With You*

Peace is one of the greatest forms of mercy. 

In order to create a peaceful atmosphere, lots of adjustments, sacrifice and wellbeing of others is necessary

All these are nothing but the various forms of Gods mercy 

The very fact that Jesus has used the word *Peace* when He appears to His disciples, it shows how important and how powerful word is this 

So there is no doubt that *Peace* is one of the powerful symbols of Mercy of God

*2) Forgiveness of Sins*

Another important aspect which is highlighted in today's Gospel 

Forgiveness of sins is the direct from of Gods mercy 

Forgiveness is another name for mercy and mercy is another name for God

Through the forgiveness of the Sins we experience the mercy of Jesus in our day today life 

*3) Clarifying the doubts*

Doubts are one of the things which makes our  life miserable

Thomas doubted the very resurrection of Jesus and that's why he was not ready to believe in Jesus 

But Jesus appears to him directly and clarifies his doubts and he believes in the Risen Christ

So clarifying the doubts and giving the correct knowledge about the important matters is nothing but the important phase of the mercy of God 

*4) No anger, No punishment*

When Thomas doubted the very existence of the Risen Christ, Jesus never got angry with Thomas 

Neither Jesus wanted to punish Thomas for his severe doubt about the Risen Christ

But Jesus uses the different way to communicate the great message to Him 

So not getting angry, and not intending to punish another but trying ones level best to convince the fact is one of the great phase of the mercy of God

*5) Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.*

This is very important for us 

We today believe Jesus even though we have not seen the Risen Lord, as Thomas saw 

Yet to believe in such a Risen Lord we need the mercy of the Lord 

It is only through the mercy of God we are able to believe in the Risen Lord, even though we have not seen Him 

*6) We are called to become merciful people*

Like our Risen Lord we have been called to become merciful people. Following are some of the ways through which we can become merciful people 

By forgiving the sins of one another 

By fostering the spirit of forgiveness

By repenting ones faults and trying to change ones life 

By helping some one in need 

By sharing something with others 

By being polite to one another 

By not taking revenge and not becoming arrogant 

By accepting the path of humility 

By helping someone in whatever way possible

Am I ready to become a merciful person like Jesus?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*