Last year on this day I spoke about doubt and referred to the example of the U.S. Olympic Hockey team from 1980. Everyone doubted that they could win a medal at the Olympics and that they would ever beat the Soviet hockey team. We know the story; the USA in fact did beat the Soviets and went on to win the gold medal. So much for doubt.
If you watched any of the March Madness basketball games recently surely you would have doubted that the Final Four would include that basketball powerhouse, the Butler Bulldogs! Who? The Butler Bulldogs. Yet despite the doubts, they were there; overcoming the odds and pulling off upset victory after upset victory. In fact, they made it to the championship game, losing to perennial powerhouse Duke, by two points, after a three point shot by Butler barely missed the mark. Again, so much for doubt.
We all have doubts in our lives; doubting ourselves and others. Perhaps at times we have even doubted God.
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, as people of faith, do we still doubt the Divine Mercy of Jesus, the Resurrected Lord?
There is much to ponder and pray with on this Sunday after Easter. First, our Easter Octave comes to an end, although Easter season lasts 6 more weeks, and today is in fact Divine Mercy Sunday. And the Church always gives us this powerful Gospel of the Apostle Thomas; the one we refer to as doubting Thomas.
This clearly is a two part Gospel; the appearance by Jesus to the group, locked away in the room, for fear, on Easter night and the doubting declaration of Thomas. Thomas gets a bum rap in this Gospel. Remember, he was not there when Jesus appeared; and we don't know for sure where he has been or what he is doing in these early hours and days after the Resurrection. Perhaps Jesus' patience with Thomas shows that there is nothing He won't do to help us believe. Jesus even says this: do not be unbelieving. And Thomas declares; my Lord and my God.
When Jesus reminds Thomas and the others that his belief was motivated by proof; he says how blessed all are who believe and have no need of proof.
This is our faith and the wonderful event that is Divine Mercy Sunday. The devotion to the Divine Mercy of Jesus, through visitations to Saint Faustina Kowalska, is a devotion that requires faith. Just last week we heard the Gospel of Good Friday where Jesus pours out his mercy, from the cross, upon the good thief, when he tells him today you will be with me in paradise.
Do we believe in this Divine Mercy?
Do we see with eyes of faith? The first place to begin is everytime we come to Mass. When we hear the words of consecration and hear the ringing of the bells; do we see Jesus? Do we realize, deep within, that the bread and wine are the Body and Blood of the Lord? Like Thomas, are we inspired perhaps to say My Lord and My God!
The other thing we can do this week is concentrate on His gift of mercy. How? By distributing a little mercy of our own. In this week ahead focus on someone, friend or family; even a stranger perhaps, and give a little mercy. Be generous with your mercy and love as Jesus is generous with each of us.
Learn something this week about the Divine Mercy devotion. Read the writings of St. Faustina or learn how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. These are things all of us can do in the week ahead.
And trusting in His mercy, our doubts will melt away.
Just like those Butler Bulldogs never gave in to doubt; neither should we. Trust in the Divine Mercy of Jesus and believe!
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