SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B.
(DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY)
7th April, 2024.
Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31.
Today is Divine Mercy Sunday! The emphasis is on God’s mercy on humanity through His son Jesus Christ. God’s mercy is all-encompassing and capable of unity humanity into a community of love. True globalization is achievable through forgiveness. Jesus wants his disciples to follow his example of cross: forgiveness through renunciation of the natural impulse to violence. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.
The renunciation of violence is a show of mercy beyond ‘right or wrong’. The intention of Jesus is to give humanity a new beginning that is devoid of violence. The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of nonviolence. Self-donation is a sacrifice of nonviolence. To forgive is to withdraw from violence. Forgiveness breaks the vicious circle of violence – vengeance, rivalry etc. Who can overcome the world? The ability to give up the natural impulse to retaliation is forgiveness.
Anthony Ekpunobi, CM.