Divine Mercy Sunday

Building the Community of Faith: A Mission of All of Us

Dear brothers and sisters,

On this Divine Mercy Sunday, the Word of God reveals how the Risen Christ meets us with mercy, peace, and new life.

In the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:42-47), we see a community transformed by the Resurrection. United in faith, prayer, and the breaking of the bread, the early Christians lived with generous hearts and deep concern for one another. Their shared life became a powerful sign of God’s mercy at work among them, and “the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

The “terminus ad quem” (goal) of the evangelization process of our family of Saints Peter and Paul is: “to build a community of faith where brothers and sisters BELIEVE, CELEBRATE and LIVE the Good News together”. The Community of Luke (Acts 2, 42-47) is the ideal, a model for our parish family in West Valley City. A true community of Catholic faith must have as pillars these four elements of the community of Luke: “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.”

Despite our differences in skin color, our origin (Natives, Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, Americas), our social or migratory status, we are all gathered around our Savior who gives us New Life. All barriers of enmity, racism, selfishness must all fall to make way for Love, Mercy, Joy and Peace. Our diversity is treasure, and we are not enemies. We formed a beautiful rainbow. God is with us and in great mercy, he makes us reborn (1 P 1, 3-9) for the realization of this mission. It's Easter!

In the Gospel (John 20:19-31), Jesus appears to his disciples behind locked doors and offers his first gift: “Peace be with you.” He shows them his wounds, not as signs of defeat, but as lasting signs of merciful love. Breathing the Holy Spirit upon them, he entrusts them with the ministry of forgiveness, making mercy the heart of the Church’s mission.

Thomas’ struggle speaks to all who find faith difficult at times. Jesus does not reject him but invites him to encounter mercy personally. Thomas’ response “My Lord and my God!”, flows from being met with patience and compassion. Jesus then blesses all who will believe without seeing, calling us to trust in his mercy even when our faith is tested.

Divine Mercy Sunday reminds us that faith is sustained not by certainty alone, but by mercy freely given. Strengthened by the Resurrection, we are called to live as witnesses of mercy, through forgiveness, unity, generosity, and peace, so that others may come to believe and find life in his name.

May the joy of Easter make us true ambassadors of peace, of mercy as Sister Faustina Kowalska teaches us and as Jesus himself entrusts to his friends the mission of forgiving the sins of people (Jn 20, 19-31)

Father Sebastien SASA, PhD, MPA

Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic ChurchWest

Valley City, April 12, 2026