FROM FEAR TO MERCY: ENCOUNTERING THE RISEN CHRIST
Homily for Divine Mercy Sunday (Year A) Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 Today, eight days after Easter, the Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday, a day that reveals the very heart of God. The liturgical readings of this Divine Mercy lead us step by step into this mystery of mercy. In the Gospel reading, the disciples are gathered behind locked doors, paralyzed by fear. They have seen the crucifixion. Their hopes seem shattered. Yet into that space of fear and failure, the Risen Christ enters and says: “Peace be with you.” Notice this: Jesus does not rebuke them for abandoning Him. He does not remind Peter of his denial. Instead, He shows them His wounds. Mercy does not deny sin; it transforms it. The wounds remain, but they are now signs of love, not defeat. Then Jesus breathes on them and says: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.” Here, mercy becomes a mission. The Church is entrusted with the ministry of forgivene...
