2nd Sunday of Easter: 2024 Year B

John 20:19-31 “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

“I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet (699).”

The Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love. How good is the Lord to all, compassionate to all his creatures. (Ps 144)

Our Lord tells St Faustina, “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world.” (Diary 47)

“I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory.” (Diary 48)

After having sinned Adam and Eve, at the sound of God walking in the garden, were taken with fear and ran from God. Adam and Eve were afraid of God. And when asked why they hid themselves they did not ask forgiveness for their breaking God’s command. Instead they passed the blame. Adam said, “it was the woman you gave me” which made me disobey your command. Eve said that it was the serpent's fault, “the serpent tempted me”. Neither asked forgiveness, neither took responsibility, both tried to escape the consequence of their action.

And so is the history of man, instead of turning to God, instead of looking to God for mercy, instead of asking forgiveness, man runs from God and hides from God and blames someone else saying things like: The world is unfair, Parents raised me like this, friends, enemies provoked me, this is simply who I am. Judas, after having betrayed Our Lord he runs away from Christ, never to turn to Him again.

And so God came in search of us. Came because He loves us. He came to save us. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (Jn 3:17) He came to offer His forgiveness to us. We have the choice either to run from Him, like Adam and Eve, or to turn to Him, like the prodigal son who received his father’s forgiveness. To be like the chief priests who believed themselves good and just or to be like Peter who recognised his sins and leap into Our Lord merciful arms.

Our Lord tells St Faustina, “My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners. ... for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy. For them I dwell in the tabernacle as King of Mercy. I desire to bestow My graces upon souls, but they do not want to accept them.” … “Oh, how indifferent are souls to so much goodness, to so many proofs of love! My Heart drinks only of the ingratitude and forgetfulness of souls living in the world. They have time for everything, but they have no time to come to Me for graces.”(Diary 367)

“Let all mankind recognize My unfathomable mercy. It is a sign for the end times; after it will come the day of justice.” —Diary 848

“He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice ...” —Diary 1146

“Souls perish in spite of My bitter Passion. I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy. If they will not adore My mercy, they will perish for all eternity.” —Diary 965

In today’s gospel we hear of the special office Christ gives his apostles, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Christ made sure that there was always a means for man to receive forgiveness. That we could find His mercy if we looked for it. The priest does not hear confessions to condemn us, but to offer us God’s mercy.