Reflection Date: April 12, 2026 | Second Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday
Daily Readings: Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
Children of God:
The Second Sunday of Easter was officially declared Divine Mercy Sunday by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000 during the canonization of Saint Faustina.
This decision was not sudden but deeply rooted in the revelations received by Saint Faustina about God’s mercy.
She recorded in her diary that Jesus desired a special feast dedicated to Divine Mercy.
The message emphasized trust in God’s mercy and the call to show mercy to others.
Pope John Paul II, who had a strong devotion to Divine Mercy, saw this as a gift to the whole Church.
He believed that the world, marked by sin and suffering, needed to be reminded of God’s boundless compassion.
By placing Divine Mercy Sunday right after Easter, the Church highlights that the resurrection is not only about victory over death but also about the overflowing mercy of God.
The timing is meaningful because it connects new life with forgiveness.
It reminds us that Easter is not complete without mercy.
This feast invites every believer to return to God with trust and hope.
In the gospel of John, the risen Christ appeared to his disciples who were gathered in fear behind closed doors.
He greeted them with peace and showed them his wounds.
Later, he encountered Thomas, who struggled to believe.
In these moments, Jesus revealed not only his risen body but also his merciful heart.
What are our inspirations for today?
First, despite our fear and weaknesses, God shows us His mercy.
The disciples hid behind locked doors because they were afraid.
They carried the burden of failure, especially after abandoning Jesus during his suffering. Their hearts were troubled and uncertain.
Yet Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19).
He did not greet them with anger or disappointment. Instead, he offered peace and showed them his wounds as a sign of love and forgiveness.
In our lives, we also experience fear, guilt, and weakness.
Sometimes we distance ourselves from God because we feel unworthy.
Yet the message of Divine Mercy reminds us that Christ comes to us not to condemn but to restore our relationship with Him,
Second, God’s mercy is an invitation to renewal of faith.
Thomas was not present when Jesus first appeared. When the others told him, he struggled to believe their testimony.
He wanted proof and certainty before accepting the truth of the resurrection.
When Jesus later appeared again, he invited Thomas to examine his wounds and invite him to stop his unbelief and start believing.
This moment revealed a patient and understanding Savior.
Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us that doubt is not the end of the journey.
When we open our hearts, Christ meets us with understanding and leads us toward deeper faith.
We can reflect on these questions in our hearts. When I experience fear or guilt, do I allow God’s mercy to enter my life?
When doubts arise, do I seek Christ and remain open to believing? And how can I become an instrument of mercy to others in my daily relationships?
Children of God:
Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us that God’s love is greater than our sins and failures.
The risen Christ continues to enter the closed doors of our hearts.
He brings peace to our fears and forgiveness to our weaknesses.
Like the disciples, we are invited to receive his mercy with gratitude.
The resurrection becomes all the more real in us when we live as people of mercy.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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