Two-For-One Package: How Awesome Is That?! A Reflection for the Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)
Happy Easter! Last Sunday evening, after we were full from eating ham, lamb, pasta, Easter Bread, colored eggs, lamb shaped butter, peeps or jelly beans, Easter did not end. Rather it was just beginning. As Catholic-Christians we celebrate Easter for 50 days. We fast for 40 days during the season of Lent but we FEAST for 50 days during the season of Easter. The Easter season goes from Easter Sunday (March 31) through Ascension Thursday (May 9) until evening prayer on Pentecost Sunday (May 19). That works out to be exactly 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. How awesome is that?
As a Church we put much emphasis on our need for penance and conversion but we also need to emphasize our need to celebrate and share the good news that Christ is Risen from the dead. On that first Easter Sunday over 2000 years ago, the tomb of Jesus was empty, he had conquered death, defeated Satan, and rose from the dead. I think that is pretty awesome!
Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. In the second reading from the First Letter of St. John for today’s Mass, we hear about water AND blood. The water references Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan and the blood references the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross. The Holy Spirit was present not only at Jesus’ baptism when he was confirmed to be the Son of God, but was also present at the cross.
In the image of the Divine Mercy, two rays shine forth from the heart of Jesus: the pale ray symbolizes water - Jesus’ mercy, and the red ray symbolizes blood - Jesus' love. One cannot live life with mercy without being loving and one cannot live life with love without being merciful. They go together like a two-for-one package. Who doesn't like a BOGO deal: Buy One Get One free?!? There is a catch in the BOGO deal of mercy and love: you don’t have to pay for anything. Jesus’ died on the cross for us once. Jesus paid the price and we as his followers receive mercy and love as free gifts from the cross. Once again, how awesome is that?!
These free gifts of God’s mercy and love became exemplified in the cross but were introduced to humanity in the Annunciation of the Lord - which we celebrate tomorrow - and the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary. The mercy and love that God had for us to give us his only Son. How awesome is that? I think that is pretty awesome!
My brothers and sisters, may we experience the mercy and the love of God in our lives each day and in turn may we share that mercy and love with others by being merciful and loving to them. Do not forget that mercy and love are a two-for-one package, free gifts given to us and are free gifts we must give to others. How awesome is that?!
