HOMILY FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C. - DIVIME MERCY SUNDAY (27TH APRIL, 2025).

This is your usual programme: 'GOD IS WITH YOU' by your humble servant, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Bartholomew Koroma, CSSp. A member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers commonly known as Spiritans.
Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter Year C, which marks the conclusion of the Easter Octave. This Sunday is also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. Divine Mercy Sunday is a day dedicated to honouring and seeking God's mercy; where Jesus offers extraordinary graces, including the possibility of complete forgiveness of sins and punishments, to those who fulfill certain conditions. The conditions typically include sacramental confession, receiving Holy Communion, and praying for the Pope's intentions. This feast day is rooted in the visions of Saint Faustina, where Jesus emphasized the importance of His mercy and asked for a special feast day to be dedicated to it.
Our First Reading is taking from Acts of the Apostles 5:12-16. This passage shows the growing momentum of the early church in Jerusalem. The Apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 2), are continuing the ministry of Jesus, both in word and miraculous deed.
Our Second Reading is coming from Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, & 17-19. In this passage, John, exiled on the island of Patmos for his faith, receives a vision from God. He clearly stated that: “I John, your brother, who share with you the distress, the Kingdom, and the endurance we have in Jesus, found myself on the Island called Patmos because I proclaimed God’s word and gave testimony to Jesus.” (cf. Acts 5:9). Here, John is introducing himself to the readers as someone just like them, not above them, but a fellow believer who is going through the same hardships for the sake of Jesus. He is on Patmos, a rocky island used for Roman exile, because he has remained faithful to God's word and the message of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel is coming from John 20:19-31. On the evening of Easter Sunday, right after Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples are hiding in fear, and Jesus appears miraculously through locked doors. His first words are words of comfort and commission. He shows them His hands and side, proving He is truly alive. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (cf. John 20:21). Jesus repeated “Peace be with you” twice (vv. 19 and 21), emphasizing both reassurance and restoration. Not just a greeting, it conveys shalom in the full Jewish sense: wholeness, reconciliation with God, and the peace that comes from Jesus’ victory over sin and death (cf. John 14:27). It calms their fear, assures them of His forgiveness (even after they abandoned Him), and prepares them for mission.