by Fr Raymond Raj
Acts 5:12-16
Psalm 117:2-4,22-27
Revelation 1:9-13,17-19
John 20:19-31
Theme: Trust in Jesus, seek His mercy and share in His peace
Brothers and sisters in the blessed Lord, in a very special way as we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday today, in our parish of Cathedral we also celebrate Autism Day.
Brothers and sisters in the Lord, speaking of autism, autism is not a tragedy. Autism is never a tragedy. Ignorance is a tragedy. Ignorance is a tragedy, not autism.
Autistic people see the world in a very unique way that is different from you and from me. And that is something that you and I need to learn from these autistic children – to see the world in a unique way.
Brothers and sisters in the Lord, I do not know about you but I am fully convinced, 100% convinced, autistic people are more pure than you and me. Autistic children are 100 times more pure than all of us here put together.
Therefore, to autistic parents and care givers, be assured of my prayers and my special love for each one of you.
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday. Speaking of mercy, my dear friends, the late Pope Francis says:
A little bit of mercy makes the whole world less cold and more just.
So speaking of mercy, a little story that I intend to share with you today.
Once upon a time, two spiritual monks were traveling together in the jungle.
At one point of traveling these two monks came to a river which has a very strong current. As both of the monks folded their robes preparing to cross that strong river, they saw a young beautiful woman standing by the side of the riverbank who was also trying to cross that same river.
So this young beautiful woman approached these monks, these 2 monks, and asked them if they could help this woman to cross the river because she does not know how to swim. Furthermore, the river, the current is so strong so she asked a favour from these spiritual monks to help her.
The two monks glanced at each other because they have taken a vow, a promise, not to touch any woman. These two monks took a vow they should not touch any woman. By the way, I am not a monk. I am allowed to touch, to shake hand, to hug you respectfully. I am not a monk. Deacon I am not sure.
Without thinking much, this woman asked for a favour. Without thinking much, this younger monk, they were old and young monk, the younger monk picked her up on his shoulder and carried her across the river, placing her gently on the other side of the river.
The older monk, the senior monk, could not believe what had just happened. As both of them continued their journey, the senior monk, the older one was speechless. And few hours passed by without a word between both of them.
Finally, the senior monk, the elderly monk, broke the silence, could not take it and shouted at this younger monk,
“As a monk, you are not allowed to touch any woman. But today, shame on you! You carried this woman on your shoulder. Shame on you!” says the senior monk to the junior monk.
The junior monk looked at the senior monk and said,
“My dear brother, yes I have carried this woman out of mercy. I have set her down three hours ago at the river. But why are you still carrying her in your mind?”
Brothers and sisters, as we get older we must learn also how to let go and be merciful to the younger ones.
Brothers and sisters, being merciful simply means going beyond the odds, operating beyond our comfort zones.
In today’s Gospel, Thomas says, “Unless I see the holes in the hands of Jesus, I refuse to believe.“
To satisfy (I am using a powerful word here) the ego, the pride of Thomas, Jesus have to reappear to Thomas as He told Thomas, “Thomas, Thomas, come. Put your fingers into my hands.“
So brothers and sisters in the Lord, like Thomas, each time when our crosses get heavier and burdensome, we also doubt God’s presence in our lives. In many occasion, we give up our faith thinking our actions are justified, our burdens are over the limit.
Brothers and sisters, beyond the shadow of any doubt, by putting down the cross, the devil is the first one to rejoice.
Christian faith does not need evidence, my dear friends, like Thomas here. Christian faith does not require evidence because faith based on evidence is an insult to this Living God. Jesus does not need to prove himself to you and to me. Instead, we are the ones who need to prove our faith before Jesus.
Brothers and sisters in the Lord, the Feast of Divine Mercy calls us to be merciful like Jesus. And to be merciful like Jesus, you and I must learn how to carry our cross. Because you know why?
This is my message today:
Only by carrying the cross, you and I will learn how to be merciful to others. By carrying the cross, you and I will learn eventually how to be merciful to others.
So today, let us pray for the grace to be a merciful cross bearer for Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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