The disciples of Jesus couldn’t believe what happened on Easter day, the discovery of
the empty tomb and what Mary Magdalene told them about her encounter with the
risen Christ. They were hiding in fear just as most of the world today living in great
suffering and fear of the pandemic. Into the midst of the mess they were in, the risen
Christ appears saying, peace be with you, I am with you! The disciples learn to let the
good news of seeing the risen Christ control their lives rather than events of life control
them. Presence of Christ, his peace transformed fear into a courage the disciples had
never known before. Disciples experienced stark reality of suffering in life, the
crucifixion of Jesus, but now a power passed through their pain, faith in the risen
Christ. Suffering wasn’t taken away from their lives; Jesus breathed new life into them,
just as God breathed life into Adam and they received a courage to carry the cross, an
ability to lament and surrender life to the guidance of the Spirit. Jesus breathes grace
into us when we carry crosses.
Apostle Thomas’ encounter with the risen Christ gives unique witness to the reality of
the resurrection of Christ. Doubt is natural to one’s struggle with faith. ‘Unless I see
him’, an expression of Thomas’ disappointment that he wasn’t with the other disciples
when Jesus first appeared to them. Thomas, now being drawn to the illuminating
presence of the risen Christ made a unique confession of faith for all generations to
come, ‘my Lord and God’! Jesus is not just a teacher, prophet or messiah, he is Lord
and God, as John’s gospel says, Jesus is one who is from the bosom of God, who is
God. Minds are now opened to recognize Jesus as Word made flesh, as God himself!
The world is filled with the presence of risen Christ. We confess and celebrate this truth
of our faith; for many in the world Christ remains as an inviting presence to a life of
compassion and love. Our witness to the love of Christ is filled with transforming power
for the world. This power of the risen Christ is seen in the way how the first Christian
community lived: ‘they devoted themselves to teaching of the apostles, celebration of
the Eucharist and prayers; they shared everything among themselves according to
each one’s need, lived a joy-filled faith’.
Such a marvelous witness to Christ’s living presence in the church happened in the 4th
century. In the year 369 St. Basil became bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia; the
region was hit by a great famine. Shaken by the suffering of his people, he began a
new building project. It was called Basileias, a shelter/refuge for the poor and the sick.
Basil studied medicine in Athens before became bishop. In a world that ignored the
poor and disabled, Basil welcomed even lepers to these houses and took care of them.
Basil saw Christ in the broken people. Around this time, there was a noblewoman in
Rome called Fabiola [saint] who founded Rome’s first public hospital. She would
regularly tour the streets looking for the sick and abandoned people. Gregory of Nysa
said: ‘Christ the compassionate has given his own person to the sick and suffering’. It
is from Christian hospitality toward sick and poor that hospice and hospitals began to
be established across the world.
This divine mercy Sunday, we proclaim to the world forgiveness and mercy of God
granted to us in the risen Christ. Attitude of sin is replaced by compassionate outlook
on life and by renouncing violence in human hearts. Christians are ready to risk their
lives for the wellbeing of others. Amidst confusion and pain in our world, Jesus says, I
am the living proof that love conquers; your life of love/mercy brings my peace and
healing to the world!