Gospel in Art: Divine Mercy Sunday

Manger with shadow of cross, digital photograph by Gino Santa Maria, 23/03/2010 © Alamy Stock Photo /Gino's Premium Images

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 27 April 2025
John 20:19-31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.' And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.'

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord'. But he said to them, 'Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.'

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.' Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Reflection on the Digital Artwork

In today's Gospel reading, we hear how the disciples were gripped by fear. They were afraid that what had happened to Jesus might soon happen to them. The shadow of Golgotha still loomed large. The shadow of the cross on which their friend was crucified, hung over them like a storm cloud that would not lift.

From the moment we are born, the shadow of the cross also touches our lives. Our digital artwork captures this with striking poignancy. Just as the shadow of the cross already fell over Jesus as he lay in the crib, his suffering foretold even in birth, so too does that same shadow accompany each of us throughout our lives. It is not a symbol of doom, but a quiet reminder that love and sacrifice are woven into the fabric of our existence. But it is up to each of us to decide how we respond to that shadow. If we become aware of it, if we let the cross speak into our lives, it can transform us. It will shape the way we treat others, the way we see wealth and poverty, injustice and suffering. The cross of Christ is not something to hide from; it is something to place at the very centre of our lives. We are called to live cross-shaped lives.

This does not mean we are to walk through life sorrowful or subdued. Quite the opposite: to live in the light of the cross is to live with deep and lasting joy. The cross teaches us compassion, fills us with hope, and gives us a heart for justice, mercy, and love. To embrace the cross is to embrace Christ himself, who is love and mercy incarnate.

And how fitting that today is Divine Mercy Sunday. Mercy flows from the heart of Christ, from the wounds of the cross. When we cast aside fear and entrust ourselves fully to him, we receive mercy in abundance, mercy that is not ours to keep, but to be shared with the world.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-20-19-31-2025/ (with audio)