Reflection by Fr Francis Otobo
Missionary disciples of God’s mercy.
Stop for a moment and reflect on what it would have been like for those first followers of Jesus, gathered together in the upper room, locked up for fear of the Jews, on that first Easter evening when Jesus appeared to them with the greeting of peace (John 20:19). Backtrack a little bit to a few days earlier: there was that emotional Thursday evening, when Jesus washed their feet (cf. John 13:1-20), and shared a last meal with them (John 13:3-4). There was the moment of the master’s agonising prayer in the garden (John 18:1ff; cf. Luke 22:39-46), when those same disciples fell asleep as Jesus prayed (Mark 14:37). One of them (Judas) betrayed the master (John 18:5), another (Peter) denied him (John 18:25-27), the crowds disowned him and would rather have him crucified (John 19:6). These disciples witnessed Jesus’ trial, his torture, his crucifixion, and his burial.
The story, however, changed two days later with the narrative of Mary of Magdala who went to visit the tomb very early in the morning (along with other women, Mark 16:1): the tomb is empty; Jesus has been raised from the dead; she says (John 201-18). What do you think would be the feelings/emotions of those disciples with Jesus standing among them that evening (John 20:19)? Joy? Sadness? Confusion? Fear? Guilt? What would be your feeling? For Jesus, only two things were important at this point: mercy and restoration. Hence, he said: “Peace be with you.”
Pope Francis throughout his pontificate has always emphasised the mercy and love of God. Francis is referred to as the Pope of God’s mercy. As he teaches, the name/character of God is mercy. We find this particular attribute portrayed and exemplified in Jesus’ response to the disciples in today’s Gospel text (John 20:19-31). Jesus showed those frightened and fragile followers is his the grace and mercy and forgiveness and love that he always talked about. Not minding what’s happened, he simply said to them, “Peace be with you.” In his determination to erase their doubts, he showed them his hands and his side. A frantic act of reassurance, of love, and an open invitation to enter into his merciful and gracious heart. Now, not only was he alive and among them, he has assured them of forgiveness. With this the disciples’ joy know no bounds.
Friends, John’s story today, though addresses the fear of the disciples trembling behind that locked door, and wondering what it all means, actually speaks to each and every one of us in our struggles with doubt, weighed down with fear, and constantly falling short of what we know that God expects from us. It is a story which reaffirms God’s mercy and love, and the God who journeys with us even in our frailty. The narrative encourages us that we are not alone but that Jesus comes to us, in the midst of our doubts and fears and sin and guilt, to offer us those gracious words of love, and mercy, and forgiveness: “Peace be with you.” Our Gospel reading this day (John 20:19-31), thus invites us to embrace the peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7), the peace which the world cannot give (John 14:27), the peace which can only come from our crucified and risen Lord (John 20:19, 26), and the peace which comes from the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6), the Lord of mercy.
On this Divine Mercy Sunday, the second of Easter, John the evangelist admonishes us that even at that moment when we feel as though we have truly disappointed God—at that instant, Jesus shows up, and says: “Peace be with you.” We are also called to become bearers of this message of peace and joy to a world so fragile, so filled with doubt and fear: “as the Father sent me, so I send you…” (John 20:21).
May we all become missionary disciples of God’s mercy, love, and peace to all who encounter us along the journey of life. Amen! Alleluia!
