Fr. Al Lauer, founder and longtime author of One Bread, One Body, would often on these pages define mercy as treating someone better than they deserve. On the first Easter evening, Jesus treated His apostles with great mercy. Though they had fled from Him when He was arrested, Jesus did not lay a guilt trip on them. Instead, His first words to them were, “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19).

It would be understandable if Jesus was reluctant to entrust His disciples with any responsibility. Nonetheless, Jesus still sent them out (Jn 20:21), entrusting them with His power, though they were still fearful (Jn 20:19). He gave them the Holy Spirit (Jn 20:22). He gave St. Thomas a second chance to undo his earlier doubts (Jn 20:27); later, He gave St. Peter a second chance to undo his earlier denials (Jn 21:15).

How “rich in mercy” Jesus is! (Eph 2:4) Jesus gives us, His disciples, incredible mercy. Now He has entrusted us with the opportunity to pass on His mercy to others. Who in your life needs a second chance after letting you down miserably? Can you pass on the mercy of God to this person and treat him or her better than they deserve? On this Divine Mercy Sunday, be merciful, as the Lord is merciful (see Lk 6:36, RSV-CE).

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