In today’s readings, in the First Letter of Peter we are reminded that we are chosen and precious in the sight of God and in the Gospel Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled, to have faith in him and in God, that he goes to prepare a place for us and will return to take us to him so that we might be where he is! These readings today offer us a wonderful opportunity reflect on God’s love for all of us, thus a diversity of dwelling places for us, a place for each one of us, no one excluded by God, because of his great love for all of humanity. Jesus tell the disciples that he is the way, the truth and the life, and we know God and see God through him.
Pope Francis reminds us that “Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy”, an incarnation of God’s mercy, an incarnation that we are called to become as disciples of Jesus. Jesus tells his disciples that through their belief in him they will be able to do what he has done and even greater! Perhaps that “even greater” is allowing the risen Christ, who dwells within us, to transform us into the presence of God’s mercy in the midst of a wounded and suffering world, even in the midst of the suffering and fear of this pandemic. Perhaps the call of the Gospel is to allow ourselves to become “the face of the Father’s mercy”, to take on the mantle of mercy as his disciples. To be willing to make meaningful changes to our lives in order that we might better show forth God’s mercy in word and action, to reach out to all the lonely and frightened and offer a word of hope and encouragement, a word of care. To reach out to those in need, less fortunate than ourselves, to stand together even while we isolate for the sake of others! How can I be more merciful in my words? What specifically can I do to be more merciful in my actions? Who in my life right now is most in need of being shown mercy?
Easter Blessings,
Fr. Tim