Just when it was time to Revenge, Jesus showed the depth of his Mercy.

Homily for April 8, 2018.

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven…” John 20:21-23. 

Two weeks ago was Holy Week. Do you remember the gory events of Good Friday? The injustice against Jesus? The betrayal by his close friends? The shouts of the crowd: “Crucify Him, Crucify Him”? Do you remember the scourging at the Pillar? The unjust and senseless release of Barrabbas? Think of the spitting, the insults, the mockery, and laughter by the enemies of Jesus.

Dear friends, the question for us today is: “What would I have done if I was the one so treated?” Let’s be honest, even me as a priest…. laughs….. forget oh! Some people will definitely receive flogging, maybe those soldiers, others will get some hot slaps, (remember the guy who slapped Jesus during his trial? hmmm) In fact, let me just stop there for now.

But what did Jesus do? He came back from the grave, he went to meet his friends who abandoned him at his hour of need and said to them: “Peace be with you.” Chaaiiiii. There was not even a single iota of anger in Jesus to show that he really meant what he said on the cross: “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. Do you notice that not even a single person was punished for their role in the death of Jesus, not even the soldiers, not even the chief priests, not one soul died except he who took his own life out of despair; Judas Iscariot.

Do you see the mercy of God? Can you contrast the behaviour of Jesus to your behaviour when you get the chance to hit back at those who hurt you? Are there still some people you are carrying in your mind rehearsing in your head over and over again the nature of the revenge you will inflict on them when you get the chance?

Jesus had the chance to totally squash to pieces all those who treated him badly after all isn’t that what justice demands? But what did he do? He not only forgave completely from his heart, he went to the extent of creating the sacrament of confession. Jesus gave power to his disciples to absolve the sins of people on his behalf thereby making it so easy for us to obtain forgiveness from God; so easy, as easy as meeting a priest to confess.

This is Divine Mercy at work. The mercy that forgives easily and completely not just seven times but seventy seven times seven – unending. How I wish I can begin from today to imitate Jesus! How I wish I too can start treating those who hurt me the same way Jesus treated those who hurt him. Jesus did not wish anything bad for his killers yet my heart is full of all kinds of bad thoughts, atomic bombs and missiles against those who have hurt me. What is the point pursuing justice when God himself pushed justice aside? Does it even make sense praying for the death of my enemies when God simply expects me to forgive them?

Even up to Thomas who refused to believe when he was told about Jesus, Jesus came the following Sunday Morning and instead of shaming Thomas or lambasting a hell out of his head, instead of punishing Thomas, he simply allowed Thomas to touch his hands, his feet and his side. He danced to the tune of Thomas, he gave Thomas the hard evidence he wanted. Am I so kind to those who talk evil behind my back? Do I treat with compassion those who do not believe I can ever amount to anything in life? Could I be so respectful to those who have no atom of respect for me?

Today’s liturgy calls for some amount of silence; silence to let our heart melt when we contemplate the mercy of God compared to our kind of mercy. You see, Jesus did not wait for those who offended him to come and beg before he forgave them. Why is it that when I am offended, I will be waiting for them come and apologize first? And even when they do, my pride shoots up, my head swells and I behave like a king giving a gift to his servants. I never forget the hurt and my relationship with them changes henceforth. I claim to forgive, yet I stop eating with them, I stop talking to them, I stop visiting, I no longer allow them to know my secrets. What kind of heart do I have? Why can’t I just be like God?

Finally, compare the oneness among the believers as described in today’s first reading to the level of competition, mistrust, outright hatred, stark division, stinginess, love for money among those of us who claim to be believers today! Divine Mercy is not simply a matter of forgiving others who offend us, it also extends to treating our brothers and sisters like the Samaritan; sharing our belongings and living as one; it is putting an end to me-myself-and-I syndrome; it is living for others.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, melt my heart and teach me how to be merciful. Amen.

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Divine Mercy Sunday. Year B. Bible Study: Acts 4:32-35, 1st John 5:1-7 and John 20:19-31).

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