This weekend, the octave of Easter, we are privileged to mark the Feast of Divine Mercy. In 2000, Pope John Paul II asked that the the Church mark this day. We are reminded that mercy is the attribute of God.
With our gospel this weekend, we have a powerful reminder of that divine mercy. First, in His resurrection appearance to the 10 (Judas and Thomas were gone), He breathed on them the Holy Spirit, and told them that they now had the authority to forgive sins - the start of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this great sacrament, we encounter Christ's mercy in the person of the priest, and we are forgiving of our sins.
But Thomas was not there, and Judas rejected the mercy of Christ and hung himself in despair. The next week, there is another appearance with all 11 in attendance. Thomas had boasted the week before that he would not believe unless he probed the wounds himself. Jesus, instead of reprimanding him, tells him to probe. Thomas never followed on his boast - he believes at once, and declares Jesus as Lord and God.
Both parts of this Gospel are key to remembering in discerning a vocation. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are given the mercy of Christ. Those that are willing to admit their weakness can more fully rely on his grace. So often, a young man will state that he feels unworthy to be a priest. Worthiness is not as important as willingness, and Christ, in his mercy will make worthy those who are willing to respond. But just as often, many young men will make boasts or deals, or set a sign for God to demonstrate. While it may be a Biblical tradition that even Gideon did (Judges 6), this may be an act done out of fear. We are called to faith, to believe without seeing, trusting that God will be faithful and merciful.
Jesus, we trust in you!
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