From Liturgy to Life

2nd Sunday of Easter

(Sunday of Divine Mercy)

Readings: Acts 2: 42-47; Psalm 117 (118): 2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Peter 1: 3-9; John 20: 19-31

Picture: By Brandon on Unsplash

My dear friends, do you eat salmon? Do you recall how they reproduce? As you know, they undertake something called a salmon run. An annual migration, in which the salmon make an arduous journey upstream, from the deep oceans where they live back to the shallow creeks in which they were born. Although the vast majority do not survive the trip, it results in new life for the species. Perhaps we don’t think of it this way but, at this time each year, don’t we Christians undergo sort of a liturgical salmon run? By enduring the rigours of forty days of Lent, we return to the spiritual birthplaces of our faith, where we spend a further fifty days of Easter joyfully savouring the mysteries through which we receive new life.

Returning liturgically to the birthplaces of our faith. Isn’t this what each of our readings help us to do today? In the gospel, after having been scattered when Jesus was arrested, the disciples fearfully huddle together behind closed doors. The trauma of their Lord’s Passion has not only dashed their dreams and broken their hearts, it has also severely shaken their faith. Indeed, scholars say they remain in the darkness of unfaith. It is into this gloomy, anxious, confining space, that the Crucified and Risen One appears. By offering a greeting, he restores peace. By baring his scars, he ignites joy. By sharing his mission and Spirit, he bestows fresh purpose, along with the power needed to fulfil it. By making his presence keenly felt, the Lord rekindles faith. Even returning a week later, to do the same for the one who was absent.

In the second reading, St Peter reminds the early Christian communities that what was done for the first disciples has also been done for them. Through the great mercy of the Father, they too have been given new birth as God’s sons and daughters. They too have received a sure hope in future glory. They too experience great joy despite having to endure all sorts of trials for their faith. They too firmly believe that Jesus is Lord. Except that, unlike the first disciples, their faith doesn’t come from actually having seen Jesus in person. Rather, their encounter with the Crucified and Risen One is through the life of his Body, the Church.

A Body that expresses its faith not just liturgically, but also in actuality. Not just in prayer, but also in life. A Church that doesn’t just enjoy and hoard the many gifts it has received, but also courageously and generously lays down its own life, so that others too might live. Isn’t this the experience of the Jerusalem community in the first reading? Through its brave witness of life, day by day, the Lord added to their community the number of those destined to be saved. And shouldn’t the same be said of us as well? Aren’t we part of Christ’s Body? Gathered not just to keep swimming complacently in the vast ocean of God’s mercy, but also to somehow lay down our own lives, so that others too might live.

Sisters and brothers, as we celebrate another Sunday of Divine Mercy, how might the Crucified and Risen One be drawing and empowering us to make a salmon run not just liturgically, but also in actuality today?