Divine Mercy Sunday | 12 April 2026 #DivineMercyPlease

I have quite a few internal pondering questions about the readings this week. There are things that happen here that just give me pause. Questions that have no answers, really. But questions that need to be asked nonetheless. Let’s start with that very interesting first reading about how the faith looked in those early heady and enthusiastic post-resurrection days.

The new believers in Jesus as the Son of God and Man “devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles” in the temple area each day. They sincerely and joyously participated in Jesus’ new Passover now called “the breaking of the bread” [Mass] in their homes. They were in awe as they watched the apostles heal the sick and the lame and do all sorts of wonderous deeds. And then, of course, the line that gives me pause: “All who believed were together and had all things in common: they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.”

Seriously. That was the life of a follower of Jesus? Prayer and real-life applications in the morning, a festive and gratitude-filled agape meal in the evening, while in between they looked out for family and friends spiritually and financially? That’s a day worth pursuing, don’t you think? It’s worth thinking about, at the very least. How can I incorporate the most basic actions of the Christian life – prayer, Mass, and the spiritual & corporeal works of mercy – into my daily life? How can I “do unto others” [God and my fellow pilgrim travelers in this world] as I would want done unto me? In the Greek, agape is the highest form of love, a-self-gift-unto-the-death kind of love. Can I agape all that I possess… whether it’s a spiritual, intellectual, or financial gift from the Lord as did those first disciples?

Peter gives me more pondering questions. Do I love Jesus, all-in? Do I believe in him, all-in? Do I rejoice with “an indescribable and glorious joy” in my suffering and various trials? He’s right, you know, it’s our trials that bring out the best - or worst - in us. All our insecurities, flaws, and innermost thoughts that we think we have under control rise to the top during an intensely stressful situation. But what if I don’t have those negative attributes? What if I love, believe, and rejoice in Jesus c-o-m-p-l-e-t-e-l-y. No matter what happens. Can I do that?

I feel bad for Thomas, the apostle who – as Jesus announced that he was heading back to Bethany to raise Lazarus and face the hostility of the Jewish authorities – vehemently and faith-fully proclaimed to his fellow disciples, “Let us go to Jerusalem and die with him!” So much faith. So much agape love. Why is it that he is known by his singular moment of doubt rather than a lifetime of obedience and commitment to the Lord? What will I be remembered for, considering a less-than-stellar long-life story, full of the Good, the not-so-good, and everything in between? #DivineMercyplease