Second Sunday of Easter: Divine Mercy and apostolic succession

Pilgrims prepare for the Canonisation Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, 2014 (Photo: Fr Richard Marsden)

Fr Richard's words for Divine Mercy Sunday
Readings: https://www.universalis.com/20200419/mass.htm

Divine Mercy and Apostolic Succession

The Second Sunday of Easter always brings back memories of the canonisation of Saints John Paul II and John XXIII in 2014. I was lucky enough to be in Rome at the time and to be one of the half-a-million people gathered in and around St Peter’s Square.

I have a fair bit of experience attending papal liturgies in my lifetime – but this was like no other. It was a real ‘pilgrimage’; and as I always say, the word pilgrimage contains the word ‘grim’!

A small group of us got out of bed at 3am to go down to the Via della Conciliazione, the road leading up to St Peter’s. It was as if half of Poland had converged on Rome, and probably a very substantial number from Lombardy, the region of Italy where Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) was from. We spent all night trying to get as far up the road towards the piazza as we could. It was pretty ‘grim’ – packed together, lots of pushing and shoving, really no way out to find a toilet and suchlike. Contrast that scene with the eerie ones we’ve seen in recent weeks: Pope Francis leading us in prayer from an empty St Peter's Square, with only a handful of people assisting. The canonisation scene is unthinkable in our present situation.

By dawn, everyone was a bit groggy, wondering whether it was all worth it. And then, the big screens cut to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI being helped down the steps from the basilica to concelebrate the Mass. The enormous crowd suddenly erupted with cheers and applause. Not only was it the first time since the middle ages that two popes were being canonised at the same time – but it was also the first time ever that a Pope and a Pope Emeritus had celebrated a canonisation Mass together. We were saying “it’s the day of four popes!” It was truly historic.

It was fitting that Saint John Paul II was canonised on Divine Mercy Sunday. In 2000, he himself canonised Saint Faustina, the Polish nun who was asked by the Lord in a private revelation to spread this devotion to His Divine Mercy. On that day, St John Paul also established Divine Mercy Sunday a Feast for the universal church.

It was also fitting day to canonise two popes because of the intimacy between the Divine Mercy and the succession of the apostles. When the Risen Lord appears in the upper room in today’s Gospel, He gives the apostles authority to “dispense” His mercy to every generation: “Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.” This authority Christ gave to the apostles is bestowed throughout the generations to bishops and to the priests who assist them, right through to the present day. The loving mercy of God flows from the Sacraments of His Holy Church. Most noticeably, in relation to the forgiveness of sins, it flows into the heart of the humble penitent through the words and action of a priest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Gospel reminds us also of the source and the abundance of God’s mercy. Doubting Thomas is invited to put his hand into the side of the Risen Christ; to doubt no longer, but believe. From that small incision made by the spear of a solider on Good Friday flowed blood and water, the very sign of God’s mercy; enough to bring salvation to the whole world; administered by the ministry of the priesthood.

Devastatingly, as we know, it has become more and more difficult to receive the Sacraments of God’s mercy at this time. I imagine being without them can make you relate to St Peter's words in today's second reading, "...you may for a short time have to bear being plagued by all sorts of trials." Peter then speaks of faith being tested, but that through this testing, faith becomes "more precious than gold". These words remind us that it's crucial to be steadfast in faith at this testing time. We must remain close to the Risen Lord, safe in the knowledge that we can constantly ask in prayer for His mercy to come upon us "and on the whole world".

On this Sunday, while we pray for a swift end to this pandemic and a return of public worship to our churches, we give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of our Faith. We thank Him for His bountiful mercy and for the gift of His Holy Church, with its unbreakable apostolic foundations.

We ask Saint John Paul II, Saint John XXIII, Saint Faustina and all the saints to intercede for us: that we be able to show mercy to others, and in turn receive the mercy of God ourselves.