Mercy Unlocks Hope (Divine Mercy)

Happy Divine Mercy Sunday! What a gift it is to be gathered today, especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope. We are celebrating a feast that flows straight from the heart of Jesus—a feast that tells us there’s no sin too big, no failure too deep, no heart too far gone for the mercy of God.

In the Gospel today, the disciples are in the upper room—hiding, afraid, unsure of what the future holds. That room might feel familiar to some of us. We all have our “upper room” moments: times of fear, doubt, or failure. But what happens in that room is incredible—Jesus walks in. Doors locked, hearts anxious—and still, He comes. He says, “Peace be with you.”

Let’s reflect together on how mercy unlocks hope—for the disciples, and for us today.

Mercy Enters Our Fear.
The disciples are behind locked doors. Fear has paralyzed them. Guilt has silenced them. But Jesus doesn’t knock—He walks straight in. That’s mercy. It doesn’t wait until we have it all figured out. Mercy moves first. It enters our fear, sits with us in our mess, and speaks peace into our storm.

How often do we try to keep the door closed—thinking we need to be better, more prayerful and more committed before God can meet us?

But Jesus comes anyway. He meets us right there—in the fear, in the doubt, in the shame—and He says, “Peace be with you.”

St. Faustina heard Jesus say: “Let the sinner not be afraid to approach Me. The flames of mercy are burning Me—clamoring to be spent.” (Diary 50) That’s our Savior. Burning with mercy, eager to draw near—not because we deserve it, but because He can’t help Himself. That’s love.

Mercy Sends Us on Mission. The next thing Jesus does is powerful. After offering peace, He breathes on them the Holy Spirit and says: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He doesn’t just heal their hearts—He gives them a mission.

Mercy doesn’t stop at comforting us. It commissions us. We are not just forgiven; we are sent.
This is where the Jubilee Year of Hope comes alive. The world is aching for mercy—for kindness, for compassion, for people who carry peace into broken places. That’s us. We’re the ones sent. As St. Faustina wrote: “Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All the works of My hands are crowned with mercy.” (Diary 301).

We’re called to be living signs of that mercy. In our families, at work, with friends, even online—every encounter is an opportunity to offer what we’ve received.

Mercy Meets Our Wounded Faith. Now we come to Thomas. Poor Thomas gets labeled “the doubter,” but let’s be honest—he’s real. He’s been hurt, disappointed, maybe even angry. He says, “Unless I see the wounds… I won’t believe.” And what does Jesus do? He doesn’t lecture him. He doesn’t shame him. He invites him: “Put your finger here… touch my wounds.”

That’s mercy too. Mercy meets us even when our faith is shaky. When we’re confused, hurt, or distant. Jesus doesn’t avoid our wounds—He reveals His own. And His wounds are not erased. They’re still visible—but they are now sources of healing.

St. Faustina said it best:
“My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls... If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them.” (Diary 367). So if you’ve been carrying doubts or questions—you're not alone. Thomas was a disciple too. And he ended up declaring the greatest act of faith in the Gospel: “My Lord and my God.” That’s what mercy can do.

As we look at the image of Divine Mercy today, those five simple words speak louder than anything: Jesus, I trust in You. That’s what today is all about. Mercy received. Hope restored. Trust renewed. And in this Jubilee Year of Hope, we remember what St. Faustina shared from the Lord:
“Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy” (Diary 300).
So today, whatever is behind the locked door of your heart—fear, guilt, doubt—let Jesus walk in. Let mercy meet you there. And then, be ready. Because He will send you out to carry that same mercy to others.
Because mercy… always unlocks hope.