2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: LIVING AND SHARING IN THE MERCY OF GOD

INTRODUCTION:

Today being the second Sunday of Easter, we celebrate the Feast of the Divine Mercy of God which we are all living in and sharing in. And as such, we cannot live in denial of his mercies. The whole commemoration of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, is a commemoration of what Jesus has shared with us; his self-donation (his life) and his merciful love, by which we are now adopted, sanctified, forgiven and redeemed children of God. Our command, mandate and simple challenge today is to also mercifully share ourselves, our life, our love, and our goods with everyone around us.

THE FIRST READING (ACTS. 4: 32–35)

In the first reading of today, we read about the first company of believers who adapted immediately to living and sharing in mercy of God, they learnt to possess and share everything in common and to live to share with others, their earthly goods. Jesus came that we may have a share in his divine nature and heavenly riches/possessions. What we do not possess before, we now possess and share through Jesus Christ; that is, eternal life. We must practically learn to share with others every good we possess which they do not yet possess; be it faith, the gospel message, or anything God has blessed us with.

THE SECOND READING (1 JN. 5: 1–7)

In the second reading, we are meant to understand that living and sharing in the mercy of God with others is not just an option for all believers in God, but a command and rule of life that they must obey. If we believe in God, love God, and are born of God, we must keep his commandments which center on “love of one another”. When you love one another, you would be merciful and charitable enough to let others have a share in your earthly goods and blessings.

THE GOSPEL READING (JN. 20: 19–31)

In the gospel reading after Jesus had earlier shared with his apostles his own life, time, gospel, office/mission, and all heavenly secrets as he has heard from the Father, He went ahead today to share with them his office or throne of mercy. He sent them, as the Father sent him, and gave them the authority to forgive sins at the sacrament of penance. What we call presidential pardon today, Jesus leveraged and made easily accessible for us through his bishops and priests. Simply put, he made mercy and pardon readily available to the most common of men, and we are all living and sharing in it.

CONCLUSION

Brethren, it is barbaric when we receive forgiveness, but cannot forgive others; when we receive mercy and cannot be merciful ourselves. We cannot be living by the mercy of God, living in the mercy of God and yet we cannot share that mercy with others. Whatever we are now or possess now, it is by the grace and mercy of God, says St. Paul. (cf. 1 Cor. 15: 10). Like the first believers today, we must learn to share those physical or spiritual goods which we have mercifully and graciously received from our heavenly Father. God allowed us to live and share in his mercy, we must also allow others to live and share in our mercy.

Happy Sunday!

Be Merciful and sharing like the Father!

Fr. Justin