How to keep the gift of divine mercy flowing

Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (Jn19:20, 21)

In the readings, we get two different images of the disciples.  In the gospel, they’re behind locked doors.  They are afraid.  At least one is filled with doubts.  In the first reading, they’re in Solomon’s Portico, a public colonnade, doing signs and wonders in the name of Jesus and drawing great crowds. 

Which image best describes your discipleship?  Are you behind locked doors of your faith?  Are you a little afraid of the threatening world?  Do you doubt that God is doing anything about it? 

Or are you boldly proclaiming Jesus in the marketplace with your words and actions?  Do signs and wonders accompany your life?  Do you draw people from all walks of life to be with you?

So, what changed this fearful group of disciples into powerful evangelists?  Jesus breathed on them.  They received the Holy Spirit.  

There are two parts to receiving the Holy Spirit.  Jesus first presented the gift. “Receive the Holy Spirit.”  Secondly, the disciples opened the gift.  Are you open to receiving the Holy Spirit?

With the Holy Spirit, they received the mercy of God.  Jesus breathed the breath of mercy.  In that breath, he forgave all of the shame, pain, and guilt of their past, especially their abandonment at the trial and crucifixion.  Are you open to receiving the mercy of God?

Once the disciples received the mercy of God, they became conduits of God’s divine mercy.  Divine mercy is not meant to be possessed.  Divine mercy needs to flow.  When mercy flows, it multiplies.  In Soloman’s Portico, the mercy flowed from the disciples into the crowds, creating a tsunami of healing, acceptance, and forgiveness.  People were so drawn to this mercy that they were content to be graced by the shadow of Peter as he walked by. 

~

What is mercy?  How can we let divine mercy flow from us into the world around us?

Our beloved Pope Francis wrote a book called “The Name of God is Mercy.”  He said mercy comes from two words, Miseri and Cordis.  One might be translated as compassion.  The other as heart.  Mercy, he says, might be defined as having a heart filled with compassion for those around us. 

In the same book, he also talks about one very practical way to share God’s mercy.  He calls it “The Apostolate of the Ear.”  In other words, listen to one another.  Be present to another person.  Empathize with their struggles.  Accompany the other in their struggles. 

He says, “More than anything, people are looking for someone to reach out, to grant them time, to listen to them, to hear their dramas, to empathize. with their difficulties, to know how to advise them, and to teach them through experience.”

There is no doubt that the great crowds that gathered at Solomon’s Portico felt seen, heard, understood, and valued. 

Very practical lessons. Let me repeat:  He says, “More than anything, people are looking for someone to reach out, to grant them time, to listen to them, to hear their dramas, to empathize. with their difficulties, to know how to advise them, and to teach them through experience.”

If you want to let God’s mercy flow into the world around you, try joining the Apostolate of the Ear. 

As an example, I volunteer at a homeless rescue mission.  Last Wednesday, I brought a seventy-year-old man named James to the Social Security office to get a new Social Security card.  On the way and in the waiting room, I practiced this “Apostolate of the Ear.”  I listened.  I empathized with his struggles.  I accompanied him into the office. 

Most of the agents at the Social Security office have been very understanding.  This one was condescending and demeaning.  The more she talked down to him, the more agitated he became.  The engagement was not going well, and I was worried she might call the security guard.  Finally, I turned to James and said, “It’ll be ok.  I can help you with the next steps.” 

Because I practiced the Apostolate of the Ear, peace descended upon James.  We walked out quietly. 

In letting mercy flow, we may not be able to do the same wonders as the Apostles, but I experienced a different wonder at the Social Security office:  The peace of God. 

To recap.  We can live out our discipleship behind the locked doors of our faith, or we can hear the words of Jesus:  “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  To experience divine mercy, we need to be open to receiving this mercy.  Mercy needs to flow to multiply.  One way to let mercy flow into your world is to practice the apostolate of the ear.