Location: San Fernando Cathedral
Peter and John believed in the resurrection when they saw the empty tomb. The high priests looked for a way to deny it. Thomas was told about the risen Lord and insisted that he would not believe it if he did not see; he managed to see and believe. The gospel reminds us of many other signs Jesus did, so that we may believe that he is the Messiah, the Son of God, and so that by believing we may have life in his name.
John tells us that “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (Jn 3:17). God’s love for all creation, and for each of us in particular – made in his image and likeness – is manifested in the mystery of the Incarnation. Our salvation is based upon our acceptance of God in our lives, God who is Love. Our faith consists in believing that there is only one God, the Lord, the giver of life; and that He loves us in such a way that He sends His own Son so that the world can be saved through Him. Accepting these truths is the path to salvation.
John urges us to fulfill the commandments, as a sign that we accept our salvation through our love of God and our neighbor. By faith we believe, and love saves us. The proclamation of salvation is God’s forgiveness of humanity in action. We assume it personally in the practice of love and fraternal reconciliation. The primitive Christian communities gave witness of their identity in the way they loved one another. In the end we will be examined in love, in the practical exercise of works of mercy, and in the service that we have developed throughout our lives.
Today is Divine Mercy Sunday. It highlights the depths of mercy with which Jesus approaches humanity, before and after his death. The ultimate revelation of Divine Mercy was completed by the Lord’s life, death, and resurrection. As we stand before the risen Lord, it is impossible to make excuses for us not to forgive others. Jesus sends us to bring the Good News of salvation to the entire world with forgiveness and reconciliation, as an expression of Christian forgiveness and brotherly love. By this, the world will know that Jesus lives, and that He truly is the God who saves us.
Pope Francis has said: (quote) “Conflict cannot be ignored or concealed. It has to be faced. But if we remain trapped in conflict, we lose our perspective, our horizons shrink and reality itself begins to fall apart.” The best way to deal with it, the Pope says, “is the willingness to face conflict head on, to resolve it and to make it a link in the chain of a new process. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers!’ (Mt 5:9).” (end of quote).
Let us pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe, who reconciled two worldviews in conflict, to help us believe and forgive with the help of her Son.
