Fr. Mike's Gospel Reflection for - Sunday, April 12, 2026

On this Divine Mercy Sunday, we see the struggle of Saint Thomas who appears so prominently in the Gospel this weekend. Over the centuries Saint Thomas has been given that terrible nickname “doubting Thomas.” Yet, after he touched the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side, Saint Thomas uttered in just five words what perhaps is the deepest expression of faith known in history: “My Lord and my God!” The encounter between Thomas and the resurrected Jesus is much more about our Lord’s mercy than about “doubting Thomas.”

There are two major sins in every age. They are the sins of despair and sins of presumption. We might say that the person in despair says, “I am so bad that I don’t think even God could possibly forgive me for my sins.” Contrast that to the person who sins by presumption and says, “I am so good that I cannot believe that God would not want me to be with him in heaven!” In many ways, on the surface, we might say that we live in an age of presumption in which people very quickly presume their own goodness and overlook any sin or frailty.

However, when we begin to go beneath the surface and touch the hearts of people who suffer from their sins and feelings, we understand that this age also may well be an age of deep despair. It is an age that thirsts for and yearns for the mercy of God. It is this deep desire that leads us to the throne of God’s mercy. The word mercy in Latin is misericordia or literally “the suffering of the heart.” In the Old Testament, the word hesed, which means tender mercy, captures this grace. In the familiar words of Psalm 118: “His mercy endures forever.”

Indeed, it is in confession that we experience most clearly and most significantly the great mercy of God. The devotion of Divine Mercy is intimately connected with the great Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is also no accident that the world was attracted to the example of Pope Francis, who was often seen both hearing confessions and humbly kneeling to receive the sacrament himself. And so, as we take great joy in the enduring nature of God’s mercy, saying, Jesus, we trust in You because Your mercy endures forever!

Fr. Mike