FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
THE WAY FORWARD IN CHRIST
(Part 199)
WITNESSES OF JESUS – 7
Divine Mercy Sunday
April 11, 2021
Today’s readings:
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 118:2-4,13-15,22-24
1 John 5:1-6
John 20:19-31
To be a witness to Jesus is to be an agent of God’s mercy. Jesus redeemed us on the cross out of God’s great mercy. By his suffering, death and resurrection, we are freed from sin and death and the dominion of the evil one. This is the good news. To proclaim this good news, to witness to others about Jesus and his saving act, is then an act of mercy. It is what brings forgiveness, reconciliation and renewal.
This then was the task entrusted by Jesus to his disciples. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (Jn 20:21b). They were tasked to do the very work of Jesus, to participate in the very work of salvation, to be witnesses of and to Jesus. So that is what they did. “With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all.” (Acts 4:33). Since they were to do divine work, they had needed a power beyond themselves. And so Jesus “breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the holy Spirit.’” (Jn 20:22).
What is Jesus’ purpose? It is “that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.” (Jn 20:31). Through faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, we have forgiveness of sin and new life in him. But there is more to the great favor accorded to all.
- Rather than estrangement, there is restoration to the Father as His children. “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God” (1 Jn 5:1a).
- Rather than weakness, there is strength. “The Lord, my strength and might, has become my savior.” (Ps 118:14).
- Rather than fear, there is peace. On that first Monday, “the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews” (Jn 20:19a). But Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.” (Jn 20:19b).
- Rather than sorrow, there is joy. “The joyful shout of deliverance is heard in the tents of the righteous” (Ps 118:15a).
- Rather than division there is unity. “The community of believers was of one heart and mind” (Acts 4:32a).
- Rather than selfishness, there is stewardship. “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own” (Acts 4:32b).
- Rather than individualism, there is community and solidarity. “They had everything in common.” (Acts 4:32c).
- Rather than self-interest, there is sharing. As such, “there was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.” (Acts 4:34-35).
- Rather than defeat, there is victory. “For whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 Jn 5:4-5).
What wonderful favors and blessings are wrought by God through the witness of His people! The witness is one most blessed. He is the one who can concretely express his love for God and his obedience to Jesus. He it is who obeys God whom he loves. “For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments.” (1 Jn 5:3a). Even with challenges, oppression and suffering, by the grace of God and the power of Jesus’ Spirit, we are able to cope. Indeed, “his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 Jn 5:3b).
We need to endure and persevere in this work. Many are hard to reach and convince. Even Thomas, one of the apostles, doubted. But Jesus himself intervenes in the lives of people, he makes himself known to them, and he says to them, “do not be unbelieving, but believe.” (Jn 20:27b). This is Jesus’ work. We are his instruments, as we witness to those who do not know him and have not seen him for who he truly is. “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (Jn 20:29b).
Witnesses are agents of God’s divine mercy. By our witness, may everyone say, “his mercy endures forever.” (Ps 118:2-4).
