In recent years awareness and popularity has grown in celebrating the Feast of Divine Mercy on this Octave Sunday of Easter. There are three elements to the revelation of Divine Mercy: The Novena of Particular Intentions for 9 days beginning on Good Friday; The 3 o'clock chaplet of prayer for Divine Mercy every day if possible at the hour of Our Savior's Death; thirdly, the Icon of Divine mercy which is truly today's gospel in visual.

An old Chinese proverb says: A picture is worth a thousand words. This picture captures the reality of the Scripture today. And it is Scripture which is the word of God in which we must believe. Traditions, such as this one given to S Faustina Kawalska in the 1930's and that of the Sacred Heart to S Margaret Mary in the 1600's are private revelations which we are not strictly bound in conscience to believe--but have been examined thoroughly and approved as "worthy of belief".

As we prayerfully reflect on the resurrection narratives, we become gradually more aware of the awesome power of faith; and the utter powerlessness of living a humanity without faith.

These disciples who had spent three years in high-tech training school day in and day out at the Master's feet had great difficulty believing in His Resurrection. They had closeted themselves behind locked doors--terrified with fear of the Sanhedrin or Romans--or even Jesus if perhaps he should come back for they had become crippled with their disloyalty.

Peter perhaps was the most oppressed. He thought that he had understood Jesus, who said he had been "gifted" by the Father with the recognition of Jesus as Messiah. Jesus called him: "Blessed", but in almost the very next breath, Jesus calls him "Satan" because Peter could not understand how a Messiah must suffer and die; nor would he understand how he who was called blessed would deny his beloved master three times. Peter was surely in shock and confusion and in desperate need of peace.

Thomas likewise had been deeply committed to Jesus. He was willing to go to Jerusalem and die with Him. Like Peter, he could not understand how the son of God would or could die for the sake of humanity. Though he had witnessed Jesus raising the daughter of Jarius from her death bed and Lazarus from the tomb after four days; it was too much to grasp the thought of raising one's self from the dead. Perhaps that is what Thomas was having difficulty sorting out; but the Resurrection of Jesus is not a matter of reason. It is a matter of faith. Faith is gift.

Faith is given through community. Faith was given to us in Baptism. We were introduced to faith in the community of faith, the Church And just as faith comes through community; so the gospel today tells us that peace and mercy and forgiveness of sins come through the community. "Your sins are forgiven and whose sins you forgive are forgiven."

Today's gospel makes it clear that only after Thomas rejoined the community was he able to experience the risen Lord and come to believe. This is why Jesus says to them a second time: "Peace be with you." There is a much deeper need for peace than the healing of emotional anxiety and fear. There must be a very real penetration into the very heart and soul as symbolized by the door--(and the invitation of this Jubilee year to open our hearts to the Redeemer)

In the Icon of Divine Mercy--the image of today's gospel and feast Jesus is standing on the inside. The door is behind Him. For only on the inside can He do his healing--only where he has been granted admittance--where the heart is unlocked not by physical keys but by trust--total reliance upon saving truth

Like the Apostles, we must be willing and able to open our hearts, in turning over our lives and our wills to God in exchange for peace. If we look closely at the icon we see two sets of rays emanating from the heart of, our Blessed Lord.

The red rays reflect the healing of guilt, which is a necessary and healthy corrective necessary for our proper maturing. Guilt speaks to the actions which I have done, or perhaps in some cases could have done, but failed to do. Without.,., acknowledging guilt and a need for mercy, the words: Your sins are forgiven resonate like an echo in empty air. Without acknowledgement, the effect is minimal.

The white rays symbolize the healing by God of shame. Shame is never healthy. It is not Holy. It is not of God. To feel shamed is to feel broken and forsaken by God. It is the mistaken idea that I am not good, worthy of God. Shame is a vicious lie not about what I have done but who I am. A toxin that tries to destroy my relationship with God, my rebirth through baptism.

The new creation does not mean that we are sinless--that we are without guilt--but that confession and absolution of sins removes them absolutely--like erasing a video tape. It is as if they had never happened. Do you realize the power of this sacrament; if we but open the door and say: Jesus I Trust in You.

Whatever else may be said of Thomas, the doubter. He was also the devoted. Thomas was not absent because he was half-hearted. He would not compromise. He knew he would be totally committed, as humanly possible or not at all. He would not pretend to understand. But he had to come to terms with himself. When he did and realized the cost He gave it all to his Lord and God