Dear brothers and sisters!
This Sunday concludes the Octave of Easter, as one day the Lord has made, "marked with the insignia of the resurrection and the joy of the disciples to see Jesus Since ancient times, this Sunday is that "in albis", named after the Latin word "alba", given to the neophytes who wore white robes in baptism on Easter night and laid it after eight days. The Venerable John Paul II has called this same Sunday of Divine Mercy, on the occasion of the canonization of Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska, 30 April 2000.
mercy and goodness of God is full page of the Gospel of John (20:19-31) this Sunday. It says that Jesus after the Resurrection, he visited his disciples, crossing the closed doors of the Last Supper. Augustine explains that "the camera did not prevent the entry of that body in which the gods lived. He who was born left intact virginity the mother was able to enter the upper room behind closed doors "(In Ioh. 121.4: CCL 36 / 7, 667), and St. Gregory adds that our Redeemer has occurred, after the Resurrection, with a body of imperishable nature and palpable, but in a state of glory (cf. Hom. EVAG in., 21.1: CCL 141, 219). Jesus bears the marks of the passion to give to doubting Thomas to touch them. How is it possible, however, a disciple who can doubt? In fact, the condescension of God allows us to profit even by the disbelief of Thomas as well as by believing disciples. In fact, touching the wounds of the Lord, the disciple not only heals their hesitant, but our distrust.
The visit of the Risen is not limited to the area of \u200b\u200bthe Upper Room, but goes beyond so that everyone can receive the gift of peace and life with the "creative breath." In fact, for two times, Jesus told his disciples: "Peace be with you", and added: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Having said this, he breathed on them, saying: "Receive the Holy Spirit. For those who forgive sins will be forgiven to those who do not forgive, will not be forgiven." This is the mission of the Church constantly assisted by Paraclete bring to everyone the good news, the joyous reality of God's merciful love, "because - as St. John says - believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name "(20:31).
In light of this word, encourage, in particular, all the pastors to follow the example of the Curé d'Ars, who, "In his time, was able to transform the hearts and lives of so many people because he enabled them to experience the merciful love of the Lord. It is urgent in our time such an announcement and a similar testimony to the truth of "(Letter of Proclamation of the Year Priests). This will make him more familiar and close our eyes have not seen, but whose infinite Mercy we have absolute certainty. the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, we support the mission the Church, and invoke the exultant joy
