Peace be With You

It is no coincidence for me that this passage is read today as I battle with the temptation to be judgmental and resentful after a difficult week. In our life we find that we are faced with situations that disturb our inner peace and require healing.  The true test of one living a Christian life is whether we choose to accept the Holy Spirit to heal these wounds.  For me to continue to live in the world I must  acknowledge that my humanity alone will only lead me to paths of inner turmoil, anger, resentment, bitterness, etc. Thomas Aquinas and others have said that God allows us to face trial and tribulations so that we can be a model to others in how we react to these situations.

On this Divine Mercy Sunday we are given examples of God's infinite mercy on the disciples and first Christians as they full of fear and insecurity are given the presence of the risen Christ and through the work of the apostles.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit in Acts, the first Christians provide for the needy among them and the Lord added to the numbers. Peter proclaims that we may suffer through various trials (1:3-9) so that we may become refined as a testament to praise and glory of Jesus Christ. Mercy defined in Webster dictionary is the  kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly or kindness or help given to people who are in a very bad or desperate situation.  Are there people in our lives that are in need of mercy, the same mercy that Christ extended to all so the world could be a better place? It doesn't take but a minute in my case to find those who are in need of mercy. As Jesus did with Thomas even with his unbelief, let us extend mercy to those people who are in need so that the name of Christ may have life in a world that desperately needs it.