Jaroslav Moravcik / Shutterstock.com
CV NEWS FEED // Reflecting on the gospel from Divine Mercy Sunday, Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio, Bishop Edward Malesic encouraged the faithful to open their hearts to the Lord and embrace His merciful love.
In the April 27 reflection, which was posted on the diocese’s website, Bishop Malesic wrote of the risen Lord’s appearance to His disciples and bestowal of peace upon them.
“Mercy is what Jesus shows to his disciples in our Gospel,” Bishop Malesic wrote. “After Jesus rose from the dead, He returned to them and said, ‘Peace be with you,’ and then he gave the Church the ability to forgive all sins by saying, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive will be forgiven them.’”
Bishop Malesic emphasized how the abundant forgiveness the Lord gave his disciples is another sign of Jesus’ sacrificial love.
“Jesus, who suffered and died for sinners, returned to them after he came back to life,” Bishop Malesic wrote. “He would not run away from those who betrayed him, denied Him and killed Him. He went back to them.”
The marks of His passion showed that unconditional love and mercy as well.
“He did not berate [those who betrayed Him], accuse them, or seek revenge,” the Bishop wrote. “He gave them His peace. He gave them forgiveness. He showed them the signs of his love — the wounds in his hands, feet and side.”
The bishop emphasized that true and lasting peace is found in Jesus Christ and urged Catholics to embrace His divine love.
“As we open the locked doors of our hearts to Jesus, let us accept his love, shown in his hands and side, and say with Thomas, ‘My Lord and my God,’ Bishop Malesic remarked. “That is the only way that we can find peace in a turbulent world, and as people who are weighed down by our own sins. Peace is the gift that comes from God’s divine mercy. Our peace is found in God’s love for us.”
