“I desire the confidence of my people. Let not even the weak and very sinful fear to approach me.”

The celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday brings us to the very heart of the Resurrection: not just that Christ is risen, but that his risen life is a gift of mercy for all. The powerful message given by Saint Faustina Kowalska echoes through today’s readings: Jesus desires not perfection first, but confidence, trust in His mercy. In the Gospel, the disciples are gathered behind locked doors, paralyzed by fear. Jesus comes into their fear and speaks the first word of mercy: “Peace be with you.” He does not rebuke them for abandoning Him. He does not condemn their weakness. Instead, He shows them His wounds, the very signs of His suffering, now transformed into channels of mercy. Then He gives them the authority to forgive sins. This is the foundation of Divine Mercy: The Risen Christ meets us not with judgment, but with peace, healing, and reconciliation. Thomas represents us. He doubts, he questions, he struggles to believe. Jesus does not reject him. Instead, He invites Thomas to touch His wounds. In doing so, Jesus reveals one of the most profound truths of Divine Mercy: even doubt can become a doorway to deeper faith when we bring it honestly before Him. The confession of Thomas, “My Lord and my God,” becomes a testimony that mercy meets us exactly where we are. This connects deeply with the message of Jesus to Saint Faustina: “Let not even the weak and very sinful fear to approach me.” Jesus knows our fears, our sins, and our doubts, but He still invites us closer. The greatest obstacle is not our sin, but our lack of trust in His mercy. Divine Mercy is not earned; it is received through confidence in Him. The first reading shows what happens when a community truly lives in that mercy. The early Christians are united, generous, and joyful. They share everything, care for one another, and gather for prayer and the breaking of bread. Mercy received becomes mercy lived. Their life together is a visible sign that Resurrection has transformed their hearts. The second reading reminds us that this new life is not without trials. Faith is tested, like gold in fire. Even in suffering, we are filled with “an indescribable and glorious joy.” Why? Because our hope is rooted not in ourselves, but in the mercy of God revealed in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Psalm repeats the refrain: “His mercy endures forever.” This is not just a line of praise; it is a truth we are called to believe personally. God’s mercy is not limited, not conditional, not reserved for the perfect. It endures in every moment, in every failure, and in every return to Him. Today, Jesus speaks to each of us the same message He gave to Saint Faustina: “I desire the confidence of my people.” He is not asking us to come because we are worthy, but because He is merciful. He is not asking us to hide our wounds, but to bring them to Him.